                                                                                  FILED
                                                                      United States Court of Appeals
                      UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS                          Tenth Circuit

                             FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT                         February 12, 2016
                         _________________________________
                                                                          Elisabeth A. Shumaker
                                                                              Clerk of Court
MELVINA RICHARDS,

      Plaintiff - Appellant,

v.                                                         No. 15-6121
                                                    (D.C. No. 5:14-CV-00527-C)
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting                                  (W.D. Okla.)
Commissioner of Social Security
Administration,

      Defendant - Appellee.
                      _________________________________

                             ORDER AND JUDGMENT*
                         _________________________________

Before GORSUCH, MATHESON, and MORITZ, Circuit Judges.
                 _________________________________

      Melvina Richards appeals from a district court order affirming the

Commissioner’s denial of her application for Social Security Disability and

Supplemental Security Income benefits. Exercising jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.

§ 1291 and 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), we affirm.




      *
        After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined
unanimously to honor the parties’ request for a decision on the briefs without oral
argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(f); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore
submitted without oral argument. This order and judgment is not binding precedent,
except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It
may be cited, however, for its persuasive value consistent with Fed. R. App. P. 32.1
and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.
                                 I. BACKGROUND

      Ms. Richards applied for benefits, alleging disability beginning in November

2010. At step two of the sequential evaluation process, see Wall v. Astrue, 561 F.3d

1048, 1052 (10th Cir. 2009), the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) found that she has

the severe impairments of degenerative disc disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease; learning disorder, not otherwise specified; major depressive disorder,

recurrent, moderate; bipolar disorder; and post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”).

At step three, the ALJ found that Ms. Richards’ impairments do not meet or

medically equal the Listing of Impairments, whether alone or in combination.

      The ALJ next determined that Ms. Richards has the residual functional

capacity (“RFC”):

      to perform “light work,” . . . except the claimant can only: occasionally
      climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; must avoid exposure
      concentrated to irritants, such as dusts, fumes, smoke, gases, and poor
      ventilation; understand, remember, and carry out only simple instructions;
      make only simple work related decisions; deal with only occasional
      changes in work processes and environment; have no contact with the
      general public; and have only incidental, superficial work-related type
      contact with co-workers and supervisors, i.e., brief, cursory, succinct
      communication relevant to the task being performed.
Aplt. App., Vol. I at 43. In determining Ms. Richards’ RFC, the ALJ found that the

medical and non-medical evidence was not fully consistent with her statements

regarding the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of her symptoms. He

therefore found her only partially credible.

      The ALJ also placed great weight on the opinions of the state agency

consultants, indicating that their “opinions comport with the partially credible

                                           2
testimony of the claimant and the objective evidence of record.” Id. at 46. He found

that no medical provider, including her treating physician, had concluded that

Ms. Richards was disabled from work activity on a regular and continuing basis. Nor

did Ms. Richards “present persuasive or credible evidence that would contradict the

physical or mental capacity evaluations of the State agency consultants.” Id.

      At step four, the ALJ concluded that, with her RFC, Ms. Richards is unable to

perform her past relevant work. But at step five, he found that jobs exist in

significant numbers in the national economy that she can perform, and therefore

concluded that Ms. Richards is not disabled. At both of these steps, the ALJ relied

on the testimony of a vocational expert (“VE”).

      The Appeals Council denied Ms. Richards’ request for review, and the district

court affirmed the Commissioner’s decision, adopting the Report and

Recommendation (“R&R”) of the magistrate judge.

                                  II. DISCUSSION

      Ms. Richards’ contentions challenge the ALJ’s RFC determination and his

holding at step five that she is not disabled. She argues the ALJ erred by failing to

include limitations in her RFC concerning her learning disability and her urinary

incontinence. She also argues the RFC’s simple-work limitations do not address all

of her mental impairments. And she contends the ALJ failed to do a

function-by-function assessment of her impairments. Regarding the ALJ’s analysis

of the evidence, Ms. Richards asserts that he erred in failing to discuss her Global

Assessment of Functioning (“GAF”) scores and improperly assessing her credibility.

                                           3
As a result of these alleged RFC errors, she contends that the hypothetical question

the ALJ posed to the VE also was flawed and that the VE’s testimony therefore fails

to provide substantial evidence for the ALJ’s conclusion at step five that she is not

disabled.

       “We review the Commissioner’s decision to determine whether the factual

findings are supported by substantial evidence and whether the correct legal

standards were applied. In reviewing the ALJ’s decision, we neither reweigh the

evidence nor substitute our judgment for that of the agency.” Vigil v. Colvin,

805 F.3d 1199, 1201 (10th Cir. 2015) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

                      A. Issues Not Raised in the District Court

       Ms. Richards contends that the ALJ erred by not including any limitation in

her RFC related to her urinary incontinence and in failing to do a

function-by-function assessment of her impairments. She also argues that the ALJ

did not properly review the opinions of the state agency doctors, to which the ALJ

gave great weight.

       Ms. Richards did not raise any of these issues in the district court. “An issue

is preserved for appeal if a party alerts the district court to the issue and seeks a

ruling.” Somerlott v. Cherokee Nation Distribs., Inc., 686 F.3d 1144, 1150 (10th Cir.

2012) (internal quotation marks omitted). We reverse based on a new issue raised for

the first time on appeal only if the appellant satisfies the plain error standard of

review. See Richison v. Ernest Grp., Inc., 634 F.3d 1123, 1130 (10th Cir. 2011).

“To show plain error, a party must establish the presence of (1) error, (2) that is

                                             4
plain, which (3) affects substantial rights, and which (4) seriously affects the fairness,

integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings.” Id. at 1128. Ms. Richards

makes no effort to show plain error as to these issues. This failure “marks the end of

the road for an argument for reversal not first presented to the district court.” Id. at

1131.

             B. Lack of an RFC Limitation Related to Learning Disability

        Ms. Richards asserts her RFC improperly omits any limitation based on her

learning disorder, which the ALJ found to be a severe impairment. She points to

evidence that her reading ability is at a first-grade level, and she contends that the

RFC must therefore include a corresponding limitation.

        Ms. Richards first argues the ALJ failed to make any finding regarding her

ability to speak, read, and understand English. But the ALJ found that she has a

“‘limited’ level of education . . . and is able to communicate in English.” Aplt. App.,

Vol. I at 46. “Limited education” is defined as

        ability in reasoning, arithmetic, and language skills, but not enough to allow
        a person with these educational qualifications to do most of the more
        complex job duties needed in semi-skilled or skilled jobs. We generally
        consider that a 7th grade through the 11th grade level of formal education is
        a limited education.
20 C.F.R. §§ 1564(b)(3), 416.964(b)(3). Limited-education contrasts with and

exceeds “illiteracy” (“the person cannot read or write a simple message such as

instructions or inventory lists”) and “marginal education” (“ability in reasoning,

arithmetic, and language skills which are needed to do simple, unskilled types of



                                              5
jobs”). Id. Thus, the ALJ found that Ms. Richards has language skills greater than

necessary to do simple, unskilled jobs.

      Ms. Richards ignores the ALJ’s finding regarding her education level. The

remainder of her argument assumes she can read only at a first-grade level, but the

ALJ did not make that finding. And although she cites to evidence supporting her

claim of an inability to read, she makes no attempt to demonstrate that the ALJ’s

contrary finding is not otherwise supported by substantial evidence.1 Consequently,

Ms. Richards fails to show that the ALJ erred in not including a reading limitation in

her RFC.2

                    C. RFC Limitations Related to Simple Work

      The RFC limits Ms. Richards to understanding, remembering, and carrying out

only simple instructions and making only simple work-related decisions.

Ms. Richards argues these limitations do not address all of her mental impairments,


      1
        We note, for instance, that the ALJ cited to evidence that Ms. Richards’
learning disorder does not limit her ability to drive, manage her money, or perform
simple work tasks. As to her own contrary testimony, the ALJ found that
Ms. Richards was only partially credible. She does not address this evidence, and in
any event, we will not reweigh the evidence regarding her ability to speak, read, and
understand English.
      2
         The Commissioner contends that literacy is a vocational factor considered
only at step five, rather than a functional limitation stemming from a medically
determinable impairment. But Ms. Richards argues that her alleged inability to read
stems from her learning disorder, which the ALJ found to be a severe impairment. In
light of the ALJ’s determination that Ms. Richards’ language skills are sufficient for
unskilled work, we have rejected above her first contention regarding error in her
RFC. We therefore need not address or resolve the question whether literacy skills
need only be considered at step five even when the claimant has a learning disorder
which affects her literacy.
                                          6
specifically learning disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.

But these kinds of restrictions in an RFC—or even a limitation to “unskilled work”—

can adequately account for a claimant’s mental impairments, depending on their

nature. In Vigil, we held that the claimant’s moderate problems with concentration,

persistence, and pace were adequately addressed by an RFC limiting him to unskilled

work. 805 F.3d at 1204. Thus, we reject Ms. Richards’ contention that simple-work

limitations like those in her RFC are never sufficient to address a claimant’s mental

limitations. See id.

      In this case the ALJ found that, as a result of her mental impairments,

Ms. Richards has no more than moderate difficulties in social functioning,

concentration, persistence, and pace. She does not challenge these findings. Nor

does she explain why, consistent with our reasoning in Vigil, her RFC’s limitations

regarding simple instructions and simple work-related decisions do not adequately

address her problems with concentration, persistence, and pace. See id.3

Ms. Richards also fails to acknowledge the other limitations in her RFC directed to

her mental impairments. In addition to the simple-work limitations, the RFC further

confines her to “deal[ing] with only occasional changes in work processes and

environment; hav[ing] no contact with the general public; and hav[ing] only

incidental, superficial work-related type contact with co-workers and supervisors,

i.e., brief, cursory, succinct communication relevant to the task being performed.”


      3
        Although we decided Vigil after Ms. Richards filed her opening brief in this
appeal, she did not file a reply brief.
                                           7
Aplt. App., Vol. I at 43. Ms. Richards ignores these limitations and consequently

neglects to explain why they do not adequately address her mental impairments.

Finally, we have already rejected Ms. Richards’ contention of error regarding the

ALJ’s failure to include a limitation on her ability to read in her RFC. She does not

otherwise demonstrate that the simple-work limitations in her RFC do not adequately

address her learning disorder.

                                    D. GAF Scores

1. ALJ Consideration of GAF Scores

      Ms. Richards contends that the ALJ failed to properly analyze GAF scores in

her medical records. “The GAF is a subjective determination based on a scale of 100

to 1 of ‘the clinician’s judgment of the individual’s overall level of functioning.’”

Langley v. Barnhart, 373 F.3d 1116, 1122 n.3 (10th Cir. 2004) (quoting Am.

Psychiatric Ass’n, Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (“DSM IV”)

32 (Text Rev. 4th ed. 2000)). Ms. Richards points to GAF scores between 40 and 48,

which were reported from November 2011 to October 2012 by Dr. Cruse, a

Consultative Examiner, and by her clinicians at Hope Community Services (“HCS”).

“A GAF score of 41–50 indicates ‘[s]erious symptoms . . . [or] serious impairment in

social, occupational, or school functioning,’ such as inability to keep a job.” Id.

(quoting DSM IV at 34). Ms. Richards maintains the ALJ ignored the GAF score

evidence, which she says conflicts with her RFC.

      Ms. Richards fails to show that the ALJ ignored the GAF scores. “The record

must demonstrate that the ALJ considered all of the evidence, but an ALJ is not

                                            8
required to discuss every piece of evidence.” Clifton v. Chater, 79 F.3d 1007,

1009-10 (10th Cir. 1996). The ALJ discussed Dr. Cruse’s examination findings in

the decision and therefore clearly considered them. He also gave great weight to, and

therefore also considered, two reports by state agency doctors who reviewed

Ms. Richards’ medical records and provided opinions on the work-related limitations

resulting from her impairments. These reports both included the GAF score reported

by Dr. Cruse, see Aplt. App., Vol. II at 416, Vol. III at 481, and the later report

discussed Ms. Richards’ care at HCS, see id. at 481. Moreover, the ALJ stated that

he considered the entire record, and we take the ALJ at his word, unless shown

otherwise. See Wall, 561 F.3d at 1070.

      Ms. Richards nonetheless argues the ALJ was required to discuss the GAF

scores in his decision. In addition to the evidence the ALJ relies on, he must also

discuss “significantly probative evidence he rejects.” Clifton, 79 F.3d at 1010. She

contends the GAF scores are significantly probative evidence because they are low

and were consistently reported over time. We are not persuaded.

      “While a GAF score may be of considerable help to the ALJ in formulating the

RFC, it is not essential to the RFC’s accuracy.” Howard v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec.,

276 F.3d 235, 241 (6th Cir. 2002). Here, the GAF scores are not, by themselves,

“considerable evidence . . . counter[ing] the agency’s position.” Clifton, 79 F.3d at

1010 (internal quotation marks omitted). Neither Dr. Cruse nor the HCS clinicians

explained how they calculated the scores or linked them to any particular symptoms.

Nor did they indicate how the GAF scores affected Ms. Richards’ functional abilities.

                                            9
The most recent edition of the DSM omits the GAF scale “for several reasons,

including its conceptual lack of clarity (i.e., including symptoms, suicide risk, and

disabilities in its descriptors) and questionable psychometrics in routine practice.”

Am. Psychiatric Ass’n, Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 16

(5th ed. 2013). Ms. Richards accordingly has not demonstrated error in the ALJ’s

failure to discuss the GAF scores in his decision.

2. GAF Scores as Medical Opinions

       Ms. Richards also contends the ALJ failed to properly evaluate the GAF scores

as medical opinions. She maintains the ALJ must evaluate every medical opinion in

the record and explain the weight given to it. And she argues the GAF scores

conflict with the opinions of the state agency doctors that the ALJ relied on.

       We are not convinced Ms. Richards preserved this issue for appellate review

by specifically raising it in her objections to the R&R. A party waives appellate

review of factual and legal issues when she fails to object to the findings and

recommendations of a magistrate judge. Casanova v. Ulibarri, 595 F.3d 1120, 1123

(10th Cir. 2010) (internal quotation marks and brackets omitted). To preserve an

issue, a party’s objections to an R&R must be “sufficiently specific to focus the

district court’s attention on the factual and legal issues that are truly in dispute.”

United States v. One Parcel of Real Prop., 73 F.3d 1057, 1060 (10th Cir. 1996)

(stating that only sufficiently specific objections “will advance the policies . . . that

led us to adopt a waiver rule in the first instance”). A party that objects to an R&R

on certain grounds cannot add another ground on appeal. See Port City Prop. v.

                                            10
Union Pac. R.R. Co., 518 F.3d 1186, 1190 nn.1-2 (10th Cir. 2008) (addressing

arguments in favor of injunctive relief that plaintiffs made in their objections to an

R&R, while holding other arguments for injunctive relief not included in their

objections were waived).

      The magistrate judge did not address whether the GAF scores are medical

opinions that the ALJ should therefore have discussed. Ms. Richards in turn did not

specifically renew her argument or object to the R&R’s failure to address this issue.

She needed to do so to preserve it for appeal.

      In any event, Ms. Richards has not adequately briefed this issue on appeal.

Although she asserts that an ALJ must evaluate every medical opinion by explaining

the weight he assigns to it, she fails to provide argument or authority that a GAF

score constitutes a medical opinion. “[C]ursory statements, without supporting

analysis and case law,” are insufficient to invoke our appellate review. Bronson v.

Swensen, 500 F.3d 1099, 1105 (10th Cir. 2007); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 28(a)(8)(A)

(requiring appellant to support her argument with citations to authority). We decline

to consider arguments that are inadequately presented in an appellant’s opening brief.

See Bronson, 500 F.3d at 1104. Accordingly, we do not reach Ms. Richards’

contention that the ALJ failed to evaluate the GAF scores as medical opinions.

                                E. Credibility Analysis

      Ms. Richards contends the ALJ improperly analyzed her credibility. She

argues he failed to link any of the relevant credibility factors to specific evidence in

the record. She further asserts he formulated her RFC before evaluating her

                                           11
testimony, used boilerplate language, and adopted portions of the state agency

consultants’ opinions that agreed with his predetermined RFC. Ms. Richards

specifically complains about the ALJ’s reliance on her daily activities as improper in

assessing her credibility.

       Ms. Richards did not raise these contentions in her objections to the R&R.

Her entire, two-sentence objection addressing the ALJ’s credibility determination

stated: “Simply, the Magistrate’s reference to ER and MRI records as support for a

credibility analysis is misplaced. Those things listed at page 14 have nothing to do

with credibility.” Aplt. App., Vol. III at 640. She does not repeat on appeal the

contentions she raised in her objections to the R&R, and she has waived appellate

review of the new issues she now seeks to raise. See Port City Prop., 518 F.3d at

1190 nn.1-2.

                                  F. Error at Step Five

       Ms. Richards finally contends the ALJ erred in relying on the VE’s testimony

at step five to find her not disabled. She argues that, as a result of the errors in her

RFC, the hypothetical question the ALJ posed to the VE was flawed; and therefore,

the VE’s testimony fails to provide substantial evidence for the ALJ’s decision. But

Ms. Richards has not demonstrated any error in her RFC. A hypothetical question is

sufficient if “it contained all of the limitations found to exist by the ALJ.” Barnett v.

Apfel, 231 F.3d 687, 690 (10th Cir. 2000). Ms. Richards does not contend that the

ALJ’s hypothetical question to the VE did not include all of her limitations as found

by the ALJ.

                                            12
                          III. CONCLUSION

The judgment of the district court is affirmed.


                                    ENTERED FOR THE COURT,



                                    Scott M. Matheson, Jr.
                                    Circuit Judge




                                   13
