Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable

WO IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF ALASKA
JOANNE CABE, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
vs. )
)
ANDREW M. SAUL, COMMISSIONER OF )
SOCIAL SECURITY, )
) No. 5:20-cv-0012-HRH
Defendant. )
_______________________________________)
O R D E R
This is an action for judicial review of the denial of disability benefits under Title II
of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401–434. Plaintiff Joanne Cabe has timely filed her
opening brief1 to which defendant, Andrew M. Saul, has timely responded.2 Oral argument
was not requested and is not deemed necessary.
Procedural Background
On December 21, 2015, plaintiff filed an application for disability benefits under Title
II, alleging that she became disabled on July 15, 2012. Plaintiff alleges that she is disabled
due to chemical sensitivity, reactive airway disease, cardiac arrhythmia, hypoxia,
1Docket No. 18.
2Docket No. 19.
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hypothyroid, and chronic fatigue. Plaintiff’s application was denied initially on December
2, 2016, and she requested a hearing. An administrative hearing was held on April 3, 2018.
On September 28, 2018, an administrative law judge (ALJ) denied plaintiff’s application.
Plaintiff sought review by the Appeals Council, and on September 10, 2019, the Appeals
Council remanded the matter to the ALJ. On February 11, 2020, another administrative
hearing was held. On March 26, 2020, the ALJ again denied plaintiff’s application. On
August 31, 2020, the Appeals Council denied plaintiff’s request for review, thereby making
the ALJ’s March 26, 2020 decision the final decision of the Commissioner. On October 8,
2020, plaintiff commenced this action for judicial review of the Commissioner’s final
decision.
General Background
Plaintiff was born on October 24, 1961. Plaintiff was 50 years old on her alleged
onset date and 55 years old on her date last insured. Plaintiff has a high school education
and two years of college. Plaintiff’s past work includes work as a bookkeeper and a sawmill
operator.
The ALJ’s Decision
The ALJ found that plaintiff “last met the insured status requirements of the Social
Security Act on December 31, 2016.”3 Because this is a Title II case, plaintiff must establish
3Admin. Rec. at 18.
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disability prior to the date last insured. Flaten v. Sec. of Health & Human Srvcs., 44 F.3d
1453, 1458 (9th Cir. 1995).
The ALJ then applied the five-step sequential analysis used to determine whether an
individual is disabled.4
At step one, the ALJ found that plaintiff “did not engage in substantial gainful activity
during the period from her alleged onset date of July 15, 2012 through her date last insured
of December 31, 2016. . . .”5
4The five steps are as follows:
Step one: Is the claimant presently engaged in substantial
gainful activity? If so, the claimant is not disabled. If not,
proceed to step two.
Step two: Is the claimant’s alleged impairment sufficiently
severe to limit . . . her ability to work? If so, proceed to step
three. If not, the claimant is not disabled.
Step three: Does the claimant’s impairment, or combination of
impairments, meet or equal an impairment listed in 20 C.F.R.,
pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 1? If so, the claimant is disabled. If not,
proceed to step four.
Step four: Does the claimant possess the residual functional
capacity (“RFC”) to perform . . . her past relevant work? If so,
the claimant is not disabled. If not, proceed to step five.
Step five: Does the claimant’s RFC, when considered with the
claimant’s age, education, and work experience, allow . . . her
to adjust to other work that exists in significant numbers in the
national economy? If so, the claimant is not disabled. If not,
the claimant is disabled.
Stout v. Comm’r, Soc. Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1052 (9th Cir. 2006).
5Admin. Rec. at 18.
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At step two, the ALJ found that “[t]hrough the date last insured, the claimant had the
following severe impairments: allergies and hyperreactive airway disease. . . .”6 The ALJ
found plaintiff’s hypothyroidism was nonsevere.7 The ALJ also found that plaintiff did not
have any medically determinable mental health impairments.8
At step three, the ALJ found that “[t]hrough the date last insured, the claimant did not
have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equaled the
severity of one of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. . . .”9
The ALJ considered Listing 3.03 (asthma).10
“Between steps three and four, the ALJ must, as an intermediate step, assess the
claimant’s RFC.” Bray v. Comm’r of Social Security Admin., 554 F.3d 1219, 1222–23 (9th
Cir. 2009). The ALJ found that
through the date last insured, the claimant had the residual
functional capacity to perform a full range of work at all
exertional levels but with the following nonexertional limita-
tions: avoidance of concentrated exposure to excessive vibra-
tion and hazardous machinery; and avoidance of moderate
6Admin. Rec. at 18.
7Admin. Rec. at 18.
8Admin. Rec. at 18.
9Admin. Rec. at 19.
10Admin. Rec. at 19.
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exposure to irritants such as fumes, odors, dust, gases, and
poorly ventilated areas.[11]
The ALJ discounted plaintiff’s pain and symptom statements because they were
inconsistent with her daily activities, because she traveled to Boston once per year, and
because her statement that she was allergic to wood was inconsistent with the record.12 The
ALJ also appeared to discount plaintiff’s pain and symptom statements because they were
inconsistent with the medical evidence.13
The ALJ gave great weight14 to the opinion of Dr. Andersen.15 The ALJ gave some
weight16 to Dr. Brown’s opinion.17 The ALJ also gave some weight to Dr. Buscher’s January
2016 opinion.18
11Admin. Rec. at 19.
12Admin. Rec. at 22.
13Admin. Rec. at 22.
14Admin. Rec. at 21.
15Dr. Andersen testified as a medical expert at the second administrative hearing. He
testified that plaintiff would not have any “exertional or postural, manipulative, visual, or
communicative limitations” but that she should avoid concentrated vibration and hazards and
“moderate exposure to fumes, odors, dusts, gases[.]” Admin. Rec. at 40.
16Admin. Rec. at 22.
17On November 30, 2016, Dr. Roy Brown opined that plaintiff should avoid
concentrated exposure to vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, and
hazards, but had no other limitations. Admin. Rec. at 104-105.
18Admin. Rec. at 22. Dr. Buscher’s January 2016 opinion is discussed below in detail.
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At step four, the ALJ found that “[t]hrough the date last insured, the claimant was
capable of performing past relevant work as a bookkeeper.”19
The ALJ made alternative step five findings that “there were other jobs that existed
in significant numbers in the national economy that the claimant also could have performed,”
including that of an office helper, a cashier, and a garment sorter.20
Thus, the ALJ concluded that plaintiff “was not under a disability, as defined in the
Social Security Act, at any time from July 15, 2012, the alleged onset date, through
December 31, 2016, the date last insured. . . .”21
Standard of Review
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), the court has the “power to enter, upon the pleadings
and transcript of the record, a judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of
the Commissioner. . . .” The court “properly affirms the Commissioner’s decision denying
benefits if it is supported by substantial evidence and based on the application of correct
legal standards.” Sandgathe v. Chater, 108 F.3d 978, 980 (9th Cir. 1997). “Substantial
evidence is ‘more than a mere scintilla but less than a preponderance; it is such relevant
evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.’” Id.
(quoting Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir. 1995)). “‘To determine whether
19Admin. Rec. at 23.
20Admin. Rec. at 23-24.
21Admin. Rec. at 24.
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substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s decision, [the court] review[s] the administrative
record as a whole, weighing both the evidence that supports and that which detracts from the
ALJ’s conclusion.’” Id. (quoting Andrews, 53 F.3d at 1039). If the evidence is susceptible
to more than one reasonable interpretation, the court must uphold the Commissioner’s
decision. Id. But, the Commissioner’s decision cannot be affirmed “‘simply by isolating a
specific quantum of supporting evidence.’” Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195, 1201 (9th
Cir. 2001) (quoting Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098 (9th Cir. 1999)).
Discussion
Plaintiff first argues that the ALJ erred as to Dr. Buscher’s opinions. Plaintiff began
treating with Dr. Buscher of Northwest Center for Environmental Medicine, which is located
in Seattle, Washington, in June 12, 2012.22
On June 16, 2014, Dr. Buscher opined that plaintiff was “basically medically disabled
and unemployable because of her chemical sensitivities.”23 On January 6, 2016, Dr. Buscher
opined that plaintiff could stand for one hour; could sit for 6-8 hours; could reach above
shoulders, down to waist, and handle objects carefully with fingers frequently; could rarely
reach down to the floor; could regularly lift/carry 5-10 pounds; would have some difficulty
bending, squatting and kneeling; and “would not be able to tolerate most, if not all,
22Admin. Rec. at 1067.
23Admin. Rec. at 647.
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workplace environments” because of her chemical sensitivities.24 On June 18, 2018, Dr.
Buscher opined that plaintiff “is not employable in any type of situation where she is
exposed to chemicals such as detergents, perfumes, fabric softener, deodorants, etc.[,]” but
that “[a]s long as she is not exposed to chemicals, she is fairly functional.”25 He opined that
she would be absent from work 2-3 times a week and that she would need extra breaks.26
And, on April 9, 2019, Dr. Buscher opined that plaintiff “would not be suitable for sustained
employment because of her asthma condition and chemical sensitivities, which would cause
her to have excessive work absences.”27
Dr. Buscher was a treating source. “As a general rule, more weight should be given
to the opinion of a treating source than to the opinion of doctors who do not treat the
claimant.” Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir. 1995). “[I]f the treating doctor’s
opinion is contradicted by another doctor, the Commissioner may not reject this opinion
without providing ‘specific and legitimate reasons’ supported by substantial evidence in the
record for so doing.” Id. (quoting Murray v. Heckler, 722 F.2d 499, 502 (9th Cir. 1983)).
Dr. Buscher’s opinions were contradicted by Dr. Andersen’s opinion. Thus, the ALJ was
required to give specific and legitimate reasons for discounting Dr. Buscher’s opinions.
24Admin. Rec. at 456-458.
25Admin. Rec. at 1081.
26Admin. Rec. at 1082.
27Admin. Rec. at 1108.
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Plaintiff first argues that the ALJ erred in discounting Dr. Buscher’s January 6, 2016
opinion. The ALJ gave Dr. Buscher’s January 6, 2016 opinion “some weight” but
discounted this opinion because the standing limitation was not supported by the record,
because plaintiff did not have any positive respiratory findings on exam, and because it
appeared to be based solely on plaintiff’s subjective complaints.28 The court considers these
reasons in reverse order.
First, the ALJ discounted Dr. Buscher’s January 2016 opinion because it was based
solely on plaintiff’s subjective complaints. This was not a legitimate reason because Dr.
Buscher ran a number of diagnostic tests and labs. In fact, Dr. Buscher noted in his January
2016 opinion that plaintiff’s office visits included allergy testing and laboratory testing and
that the results of the allergy testing were extreme as to mold, dust, and chemicals and that
the laboratory testing showed elevated lead and mercury.29 As another example, on
September 5, 2013, Dr. Buscher noted that plaintiff’s labs “indicate[d] exposures to solvents
such as xylene, toluene.”30
Secondly, the ALJ discounted Dr. Buscher’s January 2016 opinion because plaintiff
did not have any positive respiratory findings on exam. This was not a legitimate reason, in
part, because Dr. Buscher explained the lack of clinical respiratory findings. In an April 9,
28Admin. Rec. at 22.
29Admin. Rec. at 455.
30Admin. Rec. at 649.
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2019 letter, Dr. Buscher noted that there is “[n]o test of physiological function [that] can
explain” the symptoms caused by multiple chemical sensitivity and that “[a]lthough there
may be clinical abnormalities, such as bronchospasm or neuropsychological dysfunction,
these are insufficient to explain the illness pattern.”31 Courts have also observed that “[t]he
diagnosis of a multiple chemical sensitivity is a tricky one, because it is, by its very nature,
idiosyncratic and difficult to assess objectively.” Teitelbaum v. Astrue, Case No. CV
10–07167 RZ, 2011 WL 5293278, at *1 (C.D. Cal. Nov. 3, 2011). In addition, Dr. Hu, an
examining physician, explained that MCS “is not accompanied by consistent physical or
laboratory findings.”32 Moreover, plaintiff’s symptoms were not only respiratory. For
example, in his January 2016 opinion, Dr. Buscher noted that plaintiff has severe abdominal
pain with exposure to chemical toxins.33
Finally, the ALJ discounted Dr. Buscher’s January 2016 opinion because the standing
limitations were not supported by the record. Plaintiff makes no argument as to this reason,
probably because it was a legitimate reason. There is little to no medical evidence that
suggests that plaintiff would only be able to stand for one hour.
But, plaintiff’s ability to stand for more than one hour was a very minor portion of Dr.
Buscher’s opinion. Even if plaintiff were assumed to be able to stand for a full eight-hour
31Admin. Rec. at 1107.
32Admin. Rec. at 742.
33Admin. Rec. at 770.
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workday, she was plainly at risk of being unable to maintain full-time employment because
of the likelihood that she would - in the course of going to and from work, contacting
customers or fellow employees, or coming into contact with job site environments – be
exposed to irritants that would disable her for a day or two. Thus, this one legitimate reason
does not provide sufficient support for the ALJ’s discounting of Dr. Buscher’s January 2016
opinion. The ALJ erred as to this opinion.
Plaintiff also argues that the ALJ erred as to Dr. Buscher’s other opinions. The ALJ
did not mention or discuss these other opinions other than to state that all of Dr. Buscher’s
opinions appeared to be based solely on plaintiff’s subjective complaints.34 As discussed
above, this was not a legitimate reason to discount or reject Dr. Buscher’s opinions. But, as
to Dr. Buscher’s 2018 and 2019 opinions, this error was harmless because these opinions
were offered after plaintiff’s date last insured, which was December 31, 2016. See Macri
v. Chater, 93 F.3d 540, 545 (9th Cir. 1996) (“[b]ecause Dr. Riopelle examined and diagnosed
Macri’s depression well after his injury and the expiration of his disability insured status, it
affords little weight and is not reliable”). The same cannot be said as to the 2014 opinion
as this opinion was rendered during the relevant time. As for any argument that the ALJ did
not have to consider the 2014 opinion because it was simply an opinion that plaintiff was
disabled, that argument fails. Although this is “an issue [that] is reserved to the Commis-
sioner, the ALJ still must set forth specific, legitimate reasons for rejecting a treating
34Admin. Rec. at 22.
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physician’s opinion that a claimant is disabled.” Herrera v. Colvin, Case No. ED CV
14-1340-E, 2015 WL 12697712, at *3 (C.D. Cal. April 20, 2015) (citation omitted). The
ALJ did not do so as Dr. Buscher’s 2014 opinion and thus the ALJ erred as to the 2014
opinion.
Plaintiff next argues that the ALJ erred as to Dr. Hu. Dr. Hu, an examining physician,
opined that plaintiff was
significantly disabled by the ES/MCS condition, in that you are
unable to work in what overwhelmingly constitutes a “normal”
or typical workplace because of the disabling symptoms you
experience when exposed to relatively low levels of fragrance
products, cleaning products, motor vehicle exhaust, paint and
sealing products, etc. It is also my opinion that your condition
and associated disability is chronic, and not likely to improve in
the foreseeable future (and certainly not in the next 3 years
unless there were unforeseen advances in scientific research on
this disorder).
It is possible that you could engage in some type of
meaning[ful] work if accommodations were made through the
use of avoidance, ventilation, and other strategies. These are
typically best met, in my experience, through the identification
of employment that can be undertaken in a typical patient’s
home environment (assuming that the patient has been able to
create a home environment that is free of exposures that trigger
his or her symptoms). However, there can be no guarantees,
and such accommodations, when successful, typical[ly] occur
through trial-and-error.[35]
The ALJ did not mention Dr. Hu’s opinion in her decision. This was error. As
plaintiff acknowledges, Dr. Hu examined her and offered his opinion in November 2017,
which was after the expiration of her date last insured on December 31, 2016. However, the
35Admin. Rec. at 743.
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ALJ was still required to consider Dr. Hu’s opinion because “‘medical evaluations made after
the expiration of a claimant’s insured status are relevant to an evaluation of the preexpiration
condition.’” Lester, 81 F.3d at 832 (quoting Smith v. Bowen, 849 F.2d 1222, 1225 (9th Cir.
1988)); see also, Taylor v. Comm’r of Social Sec. Admin., 659 F.3d 1228, 1232 (9th Cir.
2011) (same). Here, there is no evidence that plaintiff’s condition improved or changed in
the year between the expiration of her insured status and Dr. Hu’s examination. Thus, the
ALJ should have considered Dr. Hu’s opinion. Her failure to even mention Dr. Hu’s opinion
was error. This error cannot be considered harmless, because in contrast to Dr. Buscher’s
2018 and 2019 opinions, Dr. Hu’s opinion was offered much closer in time to plaintiff’s date
last insured.
Finally, plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in discounting her pain and symptom
statements. “An ALJ engages in a two-step analysis” in evaluating “a claimant’s testimony
regarding subjective pain or symptoms. . . .” Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1014 (9th
Cir. 2014). “‘First, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has presented objective
medical evidence of an underlying impairment which could reasonably be expected to
produce the pain or other symptoms alleged.’” Id. (quoting Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d
1028, 1035-36 (9th Cir. 2007)). “In this analysis, the claimant is not required to show ‘that
her impairment could reasonably be expected to cause the severity of the symptom she has
alleged; she need only show that it could reasonably have caused some degree of the
symptom.’” Id. (quoting Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1282 (9th Cir. 1996)). “Nor must
a claimant produce ‘objective medical evidence of the pain or fatigue itself, or the severity
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thereof.’” Id. (quoting Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1282). “If the claimant satisfies the first step of
this analysis, and there is no evidence of malingering, ‘the ALJ can reject the claimant’s
testimony about the severity of her symptoms only by offering specific, clear and convincing
reasons for doing so.’” Id. at 1014-15 (quoting Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1281). “This is not an
easy requirement to meet: ‘The clear and convincing standard is the most demanding
required in Social Security cases.’” Id. at 1015 (quoting Moore v. Comm’t of Soc. Sec.
Admin., 278 F.3d 920, 924 (9th Cir. 2002)).
The ALJ discounted plaintiff’s pain and symptom statements because they were
inconsistent with her daily activities, because she traveled to Boston once per year, and
because her statement that she was allergic to wood was inconsistent with the record.36 The
ALJ also appeared to discount plaintiff’s pain and symptom statements because they were
inconsistent with the medical evidence as set forth by the ALJ.37 Plaintiff argues that these
were not clear and convincing reasons.
As for the first reason, the ALJ cited to plaintiff’s statements that “she went for walk
for up to an hour a day and lived in a tent that was .75 miles from her house[;]” “that she
cared for her husband and son and would cook and perform some cleaning for her
household[;]” “that she cared for her dog by preparing it food and water and brushing[;]” and
that “she was able to wash dishes, vacuum, launder clothes, stack firewood, and shop in
36Admin. Rec. at 22.
37Admin. Rec. at 22.
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stores[.]”38 But, “the mere fact that” plaintiff “has carried on [these] “daily activities . . . does
not in any way detract from her credibility as to her overall disability.” Vertigan v. Halter,
260 F.3d 1044, 1050 (9th Cir. 2001). Plaintiff reported that she could cook and perform
other household chores “as my reactions [and] energy allows,” meaning that she could not
always do such tasks.39 Plaintiff also reported that she has difficulties caring for the dog
because of her allergies and that she cannot brush him often.40 Plaintiff also reported
difficulties with shopping in stores due to scents and reported that she eventually stopped
going to the grocery store.41 Thus, plaintiff’s report of daily activities was not inconsistent
with her pain and symptom statements.
The second reason the ALJ gave for discounting plaintiff’s pain and symptom
statements was the fact that plaintiff was able to travel to Boston once a year,42 which is
where plaintiff’s elderly mother lived.43 This was not a clear and convincing reason because
“disability claimants should not be penalized for attempting to lead normal lives in the face
of their limitations.” Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 722 (9th Cir. 1998).
38Admin. Rec. at 22.
39Admin. Rec. at 383.
40Admin. Rec. at 383.
41Admin. Rec. at 42.
42Admin. Rec. at 22.
43Admin. Rec. at 698.
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The third reason given by the ALJ was that plaintiff “testified that she is highly
allergic to wood but is having a log house built and indicated that she stacks firewood as part
of her daily activities. She also testified that she currently lives in a tent in the summer and
a wood house in the winter, which is inconsistent with an allergy to wood.”44 This was not
a clear and convincing reason. First, plaintiff did not testify or report that she was allergic
to wood. Rather, plaintiff stated that she is sensitive to fragrant wood, such as cedar, and the
chemicals used to treat wood.45 Second, plaintiff never testified that she was having “a log
house built.” Rather, she explained to the ALJ that she was having a “cabin” built that would
be as “low-chemical as possible. . . .”46 And, while plaintiff does live in a wood house in the
winter, she also testified that “there are many things” in that house that make her sick and
she does not stay in the house any more than necessary.47
The ALJ also seemed to vaguely suggest that plaintiff’s pain and symptom statements
were inconsistent with the summary of medical evidence set out in the ALJ’s decision. This
could not be considered a clear and convincing reason for discounting plaintiff’s pain and
symptom statements because “‘providing a summary of medical evidence . . . is not the same
as providing clear and convincing reasons for finding the claimant’s symptom testimony not
44Admin. Rec. at 22.
45Admin. Rec. at 86, 90.
46Admin. Rec. at 90-91.
47Admin. Rec. at 91.
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credible.’” Lambert v. Saul, 980 F.3d 1266, 1278 (9th Cir. 2020) (quoting Brown-Hunter
v. Colvin, 806 F.3d 487, 494 (9th Cir. 2015)).
Defendant also argues that the ALJ properly discounted plaintiff’s pain and symptom
statements because the record shows that she was responding to conservative treatment. But,
this was not a reason given by the ALJ, and “[l]ong-standing principles of administrative law
require [the court] to review the ALJ’s decision based on the reasoning and factual findings
offered by the ALJ—not post hoc rationalizations that attempt to intuit what the adjudicator
may have been thinking.” Bray, 554 F.3d at 1225. The court can only review the reasons
provided by the ALJ, and here, those reasons were not clear and convincing. The ALJ erred
in discounting plaintiff’s pain and symptom statements.
Because the ALJ erred, the court must determine whether to remand this matter for
an award of benefits or for further administrative proceedings. “Remand for further
administrative proceedings is appropriate if enhancement of the record would be useful.”
Benecke v. Barnhart, 379 F.3d 587, 593 (9th Cir. 2004) (emphasis omitted). “Conversely,
where the record has been developed fully and further administrative proceedings would
serve no useful purpose, the district court should remand for an immediate award of
benefits.” Id. The court follows a three-step analysis to determine whether a remand for
benefits would be appropriate. “First, [the court] must conclude that ‘the ALJ has failed to
provide legally sufficient reasons for rejecting evidence, whether claimant testimony or
medical opinion.’” Brown-Hunter, 806 F.3d at 495 (quoting Garrison, 759 F.3d at 1020).
“Second, [the court] must conclude that ‘the record has been fully developed and further
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administrative proceedings would serve no useful purpose.’” Id. (quoting Garrison, 759 F.3d
at 1020). “Third, [the court] must conclude that ‘if the improperly discredited evidence were
credited as true, the ALJ would be required to find the claimant disabled on remand.’” Id.
(quoting Garrison, 759 F.3d at 1021). But, “even if all three requirements are met, [the
court] retain[s] ‘flexibility’ in determining the appropriate remedy” and “may remand on an
open record for further proceedings ‘when the record as a whole creates serious doubt as to
whether the claimant is, in fact, disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act.’”
Id. (quoting Garrison, 759 F.3d at 1021)).
Plaintiff does not request a remand for an award of immediate benefits. She only
requests a remand for further proceedings. The court agrees that further proceedings are
necessary here, primarily to determine if, as Dr. Buscher opined in his 2016 opinion, there
would be any work plaintiff could do if she were precluded from working in most, if not all,
workplace environments.
Conclusion
Based on the foregoing, the Commissioner’s decision is reversed and this matter is
remanded for further proceedings.
DATED at Anchorage, Alaska, this 23rd day of June, 2021.
/s/ H. Russel Holland
United States District Judge
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