Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_13-cv-01700/USCOURTS-azd-2_13-cv-01700-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 863
Nature of Suit: Social Security - DIWC/DIWW (405(g))
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Rebecca Dixie Salcido, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Carolyn W. Colvin, Commissioner of the

Social Security Administration, 

Defendant. 

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CIV-13-1700-PHX-MHB

ORDER

Pending before the Court is Plaintiff Rebecca Dixie Salcido’s appeal from the Social

Security Administration’s final decision to deny her claim for disability insurance benefits

and supplemental security income. After reviewing the administrative record and the

arguments of the parties, the Court now issues the following ruling.

I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Plaintiff filed applications for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security

income in May 2010, alleging disability beginning February 1, 2010. (Transcript of

Administrative Record (“Tr.”) at 26, 273-81.) Her applications were denied initially and on

reconsideration. (Tr. at 181-84, 189-95.) Thereafter, Plaintiff requested a hearing before an

administrative law judge. (Tr. at 196.) A hearing was held on November 16, 2011. (Tr. at

43-95.) The record was left open and a subsequent hearing was held on March 27, 2012.

(Tr. at 96-128.) On April 9, 2012, the ALJ issued a decision finding that Plaintiff was not

disabled. (Tr. at 23-42.) The Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review (Tr. at

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1-6), making the ALJ’s decision the final decision of the Commissioner. Plaintiff then

sought judicial review of the ALJ’s decision pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

The Court must affirm the ALJ’s findings if the findings are supported by substantial

evidence and are free from reversible legal error. See Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 720

(9th Cir. 1998); Marcia v. Sullivan, 900 F.2d 172, 174 (9th Cir. 1990). Substantial evidence

means “more than a mere scintilla” and “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might

accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401

(1971); see Reddick, 157 F.3d at 720.

In determining whether substantial evidence supports a decision, the Court considers

the administrative record as a whole, weighing both the evidence that supports and the

evidence that detracts from the ALJ’s conclusion. See Reddick, 157 F.3d at 720. “The ALJ

is responsible for determining credibility, resolving conflicts in medical testimony, and for

resolving ambiguities.” Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir. 1995); see

Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 750 (9th Cir. 1989). “If the evidence can reasonably

support either affirming or reversing the [Commissioner’s] conclusion, the court may not

substitute its judgment for that of the [Commissioner].” Reddick, 157 F.3d at 720-21.

III. THE ALJ’S FINDINGS

In order to be eligible for disability or social security benefits, a claimant must

demonstrate an “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any

medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in

death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than

12 months.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). An ALJ determines a claimant’s eligibility for

benefits by following a five-step sequential evaluation:

(1) determine whether the applicant is engaged in “substantial gainful activity”;

(2) determine whether the applicant has a medically severe impairment or

combination of impairments;

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(3) determine whether the applicant’s impairment equals one of a number of listed

impairments that the Commissioner acknowledges as so severe as to preclude the

applicant from engaging in substantial gainful activity;

(4) if the applicant’s impairment does not equal one of the listed impairments,

determine whether the applicant is capable of performing his or her past relevant

work;

(5) if the applicant is not capable of performing his or her past relevant work,

determine whether the applicant is able to perform other work in the national

economy in view of his age, education, and work experience.

See Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-42 (1987) (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520,

416.920). At the fifth stage, the burden of proof shifts to the Commissioner to show that the

claimant can perform other substantial gainful work. See Penny v. Sullivan, 2 F.3d 953, 956

(9th Cir. 1993).

At step one, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful

activity since February 1, 2010 – the alleged onset date. (Tr. at 28.) At step two, he found

that Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,

pulmonary embolism, blood clots, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep

apnea, hypertension, obesity, post right knee surgery (5/10), arthritis, low back pain, and

carpal tunnel syndrome (right). (Tr. at 28-30.) At step three, the ALJ stated that Plaintiff did

not have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equaled an

impairment listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 of the Commissioner’s

regulations. (Tr. at 30.) After consideration of the entire record, the ALJ found that Plaintiff

retained “the residual functional capacity to perform sedentary work as defined in 20 CFR

404.1567(a) and 416.967(a) with the following limitations: must be allowed to sit or stand

alternatively at will provided she is not off task more than 10% of the work period; can never

climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds; can occasionally climb ramps or stairs, balance, stoop,

crouch, kneel, and crawl; can frequently handle objects, that is, gross manipulation with the

right; can frequently finger, that is, fine manipulation of items no smaller than the size of a

paper clip with the right; can frequently feel with the right; must avoid moderate exposure

to excessive noise, irritants such as fumes, odors, dust, and gases, chemicals, use of moving

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 “Residual functional capacity” is defined as the most a claimant can do after

considering the effects of physical and/or mental limitations that affect the ability to perform

work-related tasks.

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machinery, and exposure to unprotected heights.”1

 (Tr. at 30-34.) The ALJ determined that

Plaintiff is unable to perform any past relevant work, but that considering Plaintiff’s age,

education, work experience, and residual functional capacity, there are jobs that exist in

significant numbers in the national economy that Plaintiff can perform. (Tr. at 34-36.)

Therefore, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff “has not been under a disability ... from

February 1, 2010, through the date of [his] decision.” (Tr. at 36.)

IV. DISCUSSION

In her brief, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred by: (1) failing to properly weigh

medical source opinion evidence; and (2) failing to properly consider her subjective

complaints. Plaintiff requests that the Court remand for determination of benefits.

A. Medical Source Opinion Evidence

Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred by failing to properly weigh medical source

opinion evidence related to her physical impairments. Specifically, Plaintiff argues that the

ALJ improperly rejected the opinion of treating physician Sunil K. Jain, M.D., relying

instead upon the report of consultative examiner Elizabeth Ottney, D.O., and opinions of the

state agency physicians.

“The ALJ is responsible for resolving conflicts in the medical record.” Carmickle v.

Comm’r, Soc. Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d at 1164. Such conflicts may arise between a treating

physician’s medical opinion and other evidence in the claimant’s record. In weighing

medical source opinions in Social Security cases, the Ninth Circuit distinguishes among three

types of physicians: (1) treating physicians, who actually treat the claimant; (2) examining

physicians, who examine but do not treat the claimant; and (3) non-examining physicians,

who neither treat nor examine the claimant. See Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir.

1995). The Ninth Circuit has held that a treating physician’s opinion is entitled to

“substantial weight.” Bray v. Comm’r, Soc. Sec. Admin., 554 F.3d 1219, 1228 (9th Cir.

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2009) (quoting Embrey v. Bowen, 849 F.2d 418, 422 (9th Cir. 1988)). A treating physician’s

opinion is given controlling weight when it is “well-supported by medically accepted clinical

and laboratory diagnostic techniques and is not inconsistent with the other substantial

evidence in [the claimant’s] case record.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(2). On the other hand,

if a treating physician’s opinion “is not well-supported” or “is inconsistent with other

substantial evidence in the record,” then it should not be given controlling weight. Orn v.

Astrue, 495 F.3d 624, 631 (9th Cir. 2007).

If a treating physician’s opinion is not contradicted by the opinion of another

physician, then the ALJ may discount the treating physician’s opinion only for “clear and

convincing” reasons. See Carmickle, 533 F.3d at 1164 (quoting Lester, 81 F.3d at 830). If

a treating physician’s opinion is contradicted by another physician’s opinion, then the ALJ

may reject the treating physician’s opinion if there are “specific and legitimate reasons that

are supported by substantial evidence in the record.” Id. (quoting Lester, 81 F.3d at 830).

Since the opinion of Dr. Jain was contradicted by consultative examiner Dr. Ottney;

state agency physicians D. Rowse, M.D. and Marilyn Orenstein, M.D.; as well as, other

objective medical evidence, the specific and legitimate standard applies.

Historically, the courts have recognized the following as specific, legitimate reasons

for disregarding a treating or examining physician’s opinion: conflicting medical evidence;

the absence of regular medical treatment during the alleged period of disability; the lack of

medical support for doctors’ reports based substantially on a claimant’s subjective complaints

of pain; and medical opinions that are brief, conclusory, and inadequately supported by

medical evidence. See, e.g., Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1216 (9th Cir. 2005); Flaten

v. Secretary of Health and Human Servs., 44 F.3d 1453, 1463-64 (9th Cir. 1995); Fair v.

Bowen, 885 F.2d 597, 604 (9th Cir. 1989).

The ALJ considered the following objective medical evidence of Plaintiff’s physical

impairments in his determination of Plaintiff’s residual functional capacity assessment.

In July 2010, Dr. Ottney examined Plaintiff. (Tr. at 545-51.) Plaintiff reported a

history of obstructive pulmonary disease; a recent pulmonary embolism related to right knee

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surgery; and low back pain, as well as, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus without

significant complications. She also reported “perform[ing] childcare duties,” and

examination revealed limited lumbar spine ranges of motion, but also essentially normal

respiratory functioning and effort with only slight dyspnea with exertion; normal extremity

strength throughout, including grip strength; the absence of lower extremity instability or

atrophy; normal balance; and the ability to ambulate without assistance. Right knee x-rays

revealed findings compatible with degenerative arthropathy. Dr. Ottney concluded that

Plaintiff could lift and/or carry 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently; stand

and/or walk two hours; sit without restriction; climb ramps/stairs occasionally; and perform

work allowing limitations in exposure to heights, moving machinery, chemicals, and

dust/fumes or gases, and not requiring climbing ladders/ropes/scaffolds. (Tr. at 545-51).

Shortly thereafter, after having reviewed the objective medical evidence of record,

state agency reviewing physicians, Drs. Rowse and Orienstein, concluded that Plaintiff

retained the physical residual functional capacity to lift and/or carry 20 pounds occasionally

and 10 pounds frequently; stand and/or walk four hours and sit about six hours in an

eight-hour day; push/pull within her lifting capacity; climb ramps/stairs, balance, stoop,

kneel, and crouch occasionally; and perform work allowing avoidance of even moderate

exposure to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, or hazards such as machinery or

heights, and any crawling or climbing of ladders/ropes/scaffolds; and that she had no visual,

manipulative, or other environmental limitations. (Tr. at 139-42, 150-53, 162-65, 175-78.)

Dr. Jain examined Plaintiff in March 2011 for complaints of neck and lower back

pain. (Tr. at 796-97.) Plaintiff denied chest pain, yet examination revealed decreased ranges

of motion of the cervical and lumbar portions of the spine. Dr. Jain recommended continued

current treatment. (Tr. at 796-97.) In March 2012, Dr. Jain treated Plaintiff with oral

medication and upper and lower spinal medication injections with similar examination

findings and reports by Plaintiff. (Tr. at 763-95, 871-82, 884-88.) He also performed upper

extremity electodiagnostic studies revealing evidence consistent with chronic, moderate

carpal tunnel syndrome; and lower extremity electodiagnostic studies revealing evidence

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consistent with motor sensory polyneuropathy. Further, he obtained a cervical spine MRI

revealing a stable cervical spine and cord without convincing evidence of significant cord

abnormality, with mild disc bulging at multiple levels without central spinal canal or neural

foraminal stenosis, (Tr. at 750-51), and an abdominal CT scan revealed, among other

findings, normal lung bases, and a mild to moderate lumbar spine abnormalities without

destructive lesions (Tr. at 748-49). Plaintiff reported traveling out of state to visit her ill

father, with increased neck pain, and noted a cervical spine medication injection had helped

her significantly in the past. (Tr. at 772.) In statements dated December 27, 2011, Dr. Jain

indicated that Plaintiff had significant physical functional limitations, (Tr. at 815-17), and

had moderately severe pain sufficiently severe as to interfere with attention and concentration

(Tr. at 818-19).

In his evaluation of the objective medical evidence, the ALJ first discussed Plaintiff’s

medical records beginning July 2010, noting that Plaintiff’s sleep apnea is treated effectively

with CPAP and that her sleep study was determined normal. (Tr. at 32, 545-51, 559-80.) In

May and June 2010, it was reported that Plaintiff was very active at work, but that she had

poor exercise habits, (Tr. at 32, 559-80), and in July 2010, an MRI of the lumbar spine

showed only mild to moderate stenosis and a chest x-ray was normal in September 2010 (Tr.

at 32, 581-97). The ALJ found that in March 2011, decreased vision was reported and

assessed as mild diabetic retinopathy, but there was no treatment. (Tr. at 32, 640-47.) In

October 2011, Plaintiff’s sleep apnea was improved and she was doing well with all issues

including asthma and weight loss. She was encouraged to continue exercise, diet

improvement, and weight loss and to follow-up in 3-4 months. (Tr. at 32, 657-77.) Knee xrays in April 2011 showed only mild degenerative joint disease of the knees and in June 2012

physical examination was normal. (Tr. at 32, 648-56.) In August 2011, she was walking 3-4

kilometers per week. (Tr. at 32, 712-17.) And, in December 2011, orthopedic surgeon notes

reported back pain but stable disc space narrowing and that Plaintiff was using a cane even

though physical examination was almost normal. (Tr. at 32, 809-14.)

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The ALJ additionally documented that in January 2012, spinal stenosis was reported

in the lumbar region and a left L1-2 decompression was performed. Some bladder and bowel

incontinence was also reported during that time. (Tr. at 32, 834-38.) A month later Plaintiff

was doing “very well” and walking more than she did prior to surgery. She denied weakness,

radiating pain to her leg, or tingling. She reported some increased pain after a fall and was

referred for physical therapy and pain management, and in February 2012 it was noted her

pain was out of proportion to physical findings. (Tr. at 32, 820-38.)

The ALJ noted that in March 2012, pain management reported no side effects from

medications and that Plaintiff only had occasional incontinence. (Tr. at 32, 871-88.)

Previously, in December 2011, Plaintiff had an almost normal physical examination and was

instructed to exercise to improve her condition. And, in February 2012, she was reported as

modified independent for activities of daily living and household mobility. In March 2012,

rheumatoid arthritis was reported as well as carpal tunnel syndrome in the right hand. (Tr.

at 32, 839-70.)

Then, the ALJ analyzed Dr. Ottney’s assessment coupled with the opinions of state

agency physicians Drs. Rowse and Orienstein. (Tr. at 33, 545-51, 139-42, 150-53, 162-65,

175-78.) After documenting Dr. Ottney’s findings (noted above), the ALJ stated, “[t]his

opinion is given great weight because it is consistent with the totality of evidence. Similarly

with the opinions of State Agency reviewers Dr. Rowse and Dr. Orienstein in August and

October 2010. Ex. 5A; 7A. The record indicated the claimant’s physical impairments allow

her to perform work at the sedentary level with the limitations in the residual function

capacity assessment above.” (Tr. at 33.)

Next, in examining Plaintiff’s physical impairments, the ALJ discussed Dr. Jain’s

opinion. (Tr. at 34, 815-19, 800, 748-62.) The ALJ found that the objective evidence of

record does not support Dr. Jain’s opinion. (Tr. at 34.) The ALJ recited to specific instances

in the record finding that an October 31, 2011 MRI reported only mild disc bulging without

central canal spinal stenosis or neural foraminal stenosis. (Tr. at 34, 800.) Moreover, the

ALJ found that “it was specifically reported that the cervical spine and cord appeared stable

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and improved since April 2011 findings and there was ‘no convincing evidence for

significant cord syrinx, intramedullary mass, or other abnormality.’” (Tr. at 34.) According

to the ALJ, Dr. Jain’s opinion was also inconsistent with Plaintiff’s physical examination

results in March 2011 (dated as November 2011 in the ALJ’s decision), and the ALJ also

stated that there is nothing in the record to support the opinion that occasional handling and

no fine manipulation limitations are required. (Tr. at 34, 748-62.) Lastly, the ALJ stated,

The opinion is also inconsistent with itself. Although it gives total

environmental limitations, she swims and smokes. Although it gives total

postural limitations, x-rays of the knee showed only mild degenerative joint

disease and moderate degeneration of the lumbar spine. I also note that this

physician gave environmental restrictions which are in no way associated with

the claimant’s alleged impairments and find that this compromised the entire

report.

(Tr. at 34.)

The Court finds that the ALJ properly weighed the medical source opinion evidence

related to Plaintiff’s physical impairments, and gave specific and legitimate reasons, based

on substantial evidence in the record, for discounting Dr. Jain’s assessment. The ALJ

discredited the medical opinion due to multiple inconsistencies with the evidence as a whole,

as well as, lack of supporting clinical findings. See, e.g., Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d

1035, 1041 (9th Cir. 2008) (finding the incongruity between doctor’s questionnaire responses

and her medical records provides a specific and legitimate reason for rejecting the opinion);

Connett v. Barnhart, 340 F.3d 871, 875 (9th Cir. 2003) (“We hold that the ALJ properly found

that [the physician’s] extensive conclusions regarding [the claimant’s] limitations are not

supported by his own treatment notes. Nowhere do his notes indicate reasons why [the

physician would limit the claimant to a particular level of exertion].”); Tonapetyan v. Halter,

242 F.3d 1144, 1149 (9th Cir. 2001) (holding that the ALJ properly rejected a physician’s

testimony because “it was unsupported by rationale or treatment notes, and offered no

objective medical findings to support the existence of [the claimant’s] alleged conditions”).

Therefore, the Court finds no error.

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 With respect to the claimant’s daily activities, the ALJ may reject a claimant’s

symptom testimony if the claimant is able to spend a substantial part of her day performing

household chores or other activities that are transferable to a work setting. See Fair, 885 F.2d

at 603. The Social Security Act, however, does not require that claimants be utterly

incapacitated to be eligible for benefits, and many home activities may not be easily

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B. Plaintiff’s Subjective Complaints

Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in rejecting her subjective complaints in the

absence of clear and convincing reasons for doing so.

To determine whether a claimant’s testimony regarding subjective pain or symptoms

is credible, the ALJ must engage in a two-step analysis. “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.’ The

claimant, however, ‘need not 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.’” Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d

1028, 1036-37 (9th Cir. 2007) (citations omitted). “Second, if the claimant meets this first

test, 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 1037 (citations omitted). General assertions that the claimant’s

testimony is not credible are insufficient. See Parra v. Astrue, 481 F.3d 742, 750 (9th Cir.

2007). The ALJ must identify “what testimony is not credible and what evidence undermines

the claimant’s complaints.” Id. (quoting Lester, 81 F.3d at 834).

In weighing a claimant’s credibility, the ALJ may consider many factors, including,

“(1) ordinary techniques of credibility evaluation, such as the claimant’s reputation for lying,

prior inconsistent statements concerning the symptoms, and other testimony by the claimant

that appears less than candid; (2) unexplained or inadequately explained failure to seek

treatment or to follow a prescribed course of treatment; and (3) the claimant’s daily

activities.” Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1284 (9th Cir. 1996); see Orn, 495 F.3d at 637-

39.2

 The ALJ also considers “the claimant’s work record and observations of treating and

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28 transferable to a work environment where it might be impossible to rest periodically or take

medication. See id.

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examining physicians and other third parties regarding, among other matters, the nature,

onset, duration, and frequency of the claimant’s symptom; precipitating and aggravating

factors; [and] functional restrictions caused by the symptoms ... .” Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1284

(citation omitted).

At Plaintiff’s hearing on November 16, 2011, Plaintiff testified that her primary

disorder causing inability to work was a back disorder causing pain for which she took oral

medication that was somewhat effective, used a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator

(TENS) unit, had undergone spinal medication injections, and used an unprescribed cane or

(currently) a walker to ambulate. (Tr. at 56-58, 62-68, 71-72, 84, 87.) She also testified that

she had bilateral upper extremity disorders causing numbness and pain, (Tr. at 59, 68);

bilateral knee disorders status post right knee surgery, (Tr. at 56-57, 61-62, 75-76); a history

of a pulmonary embolism for which she had taken anticoagulant medication but was no

longer taking such, (Tr. at 74); asthma causing shortness of breath treated with medication,

including using an inhaler and a nebulizer, and did not very often cause inability to “get air,”

(Tr. at 69-71, 74-75); and sleep apnea for which she used CPAP device, (Tr. at 60). She

further testified that she performed limited household chores with effort. (Tr. at 77-78.)

At the second hearing held on March 27, 2012, Plaintiff testified that she had

undergone lumbar spine surgery with residual bowel/bladder difficulty that was not being

treated, pain, and balance difficulty, and that she used a cane or a walker to ambulate. (Tr.

at 100-05, 111-13.) She also testified that she had right carpal tunnel syndrome causing grip

difficulty but not preventing lifting small things, for which she was not being treated other

than with medication for pain. (Tr. at 106-07, 113, 115.)

Having reviewed the record along with the ALJ’s credibility analysis, the Court finds

that the ALJ made sufficient credibility findings and identified several clear and convincing

reasons supported by the record for discounting Plaintiff’s statements regarding her pain and

limitations. Although the ALJ recognized that Plaintiff’s medically determinable

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impairments could reasonably be expected to cause the alleged symptoms, he also found that

Plaintiff’s statements concerning the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of the

symptoms were not fully credible. (Tr. at 27-31.)

In his evaluation of Plaintiff’s credibility, the ALJ first referenced the objective

medical evidence (noted above) stating specifically, “[t]he credibility of the claimant’s

allegations regarding the severity of her symptoms and limitations is diminished because

those allegations are greater than expected in light of the objective evidence of record. The

medical evidence indicates the claimant received routine conservative treatment for her

impairments. The positive objective clinical and diagnostic findings since the alleged onset

date ... do not support more restrictive functional limitations than those assessed herein.” (Tr.

at 31-32.) Further, citing to the record, the ALJ found that in February 2012, one of

Plaintiff’s treating physicians noted that Plaintiff’s pain was “out of proportion to the

physical findings (Exhibit 30F),” and another treating physician indicated that in March

2012, that Plaintiff was not experiencing any side effects from her medications (Exhibit

33F).” (Tr. at 31); see Carmickle, 533 F.3d at 1161 (“Contradiction with the medical record

is a sufficient basis for rejecting the claimant’s subjective testimony.”) (citation omitted);

Batson v. Comm’r of Social Security, 359 F.3d 1190, 1197 (9th Cir. 2004) (lack of objective

medical evidence supporting claimant’s allegations supported ALJ’s finding that claimant

was not credible); Johnson v. Shalala, 60 F.3d 1428, 1434 (9th Cir. 1995) (evidence of

“conservative treatment” is sufficient to discount a claimant’s testimony regarding severity

of an impairment).

The ALJ additionally analyzed Plaintiff’s “somewhat normal level” of daily activities

and interaction finding that said activities also reduced Plaintiff’s credibility. (Tr. at 31-32.)

“[I]f the claimant engages in numerous daily activities involving skills that could be

transferred to the workplace, an adjudicator may discredit the claimant’s allegations upon

making specific findings relating to the claimant’s daily activities.” Bunnell v. Sullivan, 947

F.2d 341, 346 (9th Cir. 1991) (citing Fair, 885 F.2d at 603); see Berry v. Astrue, 622 F.3d

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1228, 1234-35 (9th Cir. 2010) (claimant’s activities suggested a greater functional capacity

than alleged). The ALJ stated:

The claimant admitted activities of daily living including walking up to a mile,

taking her kids to the pool, cooking, using the computer, and visiting her sister

daily. Ex. 7F. Some of the physical and mental abilities and social

interactions required in order to perform these activities are the same as those

necessary for obtaining and maintaining employment. The claimant’s ability

to participate in such activities undermined the credibility of the claimant’s

allegations of disabling functional limitations. Even if the claimant’s daily

activities are truly as limited as alleged, it is difficult to attribute that degree

of limitation to the claimant’s medical condition, as opposed to other reasons,

in view of the relatively benign medical evidence and other factors discussed

in this decision. ...

(Tr. at 31.) While not alone conclusive on the issue of disability, an ALJ can reasonably

consider a claimant’s daily activities in evaluating the credibility of his subjective

complaints. See, e.g., Stubbs-Danielson v. Astrue, 539 F.3d 1169, 1175 (9th Cir. 2008)

(upholding ALJ’s credibility determination based in part of the claimant’s abilities to cook,

clean, do laundry, and help her husband with the finances); Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676,

680-81 (9th Cir. 2005) (upholding ALJ’s credibility determination based in part on the

claimant’s abilities to cook, clean, shop, and handle finances).

Lastly, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s credibility was diminished by the fact that she

was terminated from her last job – and did not have to stop working due to her impairments.

He also noted various inconsistencies in the record finding that Plaintiff made several

misrepresentations to consultative examiners. (Tr. at 32.)

In summary, the Court finds that the ALJ provided a sufficient basis to find Plaintiff’s

allegations not entirely credible. While perhaps the individual factors, viewed in isolation,

are not sufficient to uphold the ALJ’s decision to discredit Plaintiff’s allegations, each factor

is relevant to the ALJ’s overall analysis, and it was the cumulative effect of all the factors

that led to the ALJ’s decision. The Court concludes that the ALJ has supported his decision

to discredit Plaintiff’s allegations with specific, clear and convincing reasons and, therefore,

the Court finds no error.

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V. CONCLUSION

Substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s decision to deny Plaintiff’s claim for

disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income in this case. Consequently,

the ALJ’s decision is affirmed.

Based upon the foregoing discussion,

IT IS ORDERED that the decision of the ALJ and the Commissioner of Social

Security be affirmed;

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall enter judgment

accordingly. The judgment will serve as the mandate of this Court.

DATED this 27th day of January, 2015.

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