Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-01992/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-01992-4/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Commissioner of Social Security
Defendant
Jason T. Saldana
Plaintiff

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

JASON T. SALDANA, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting 

Commissioner of Social Security, 

Defendant. 

No. 2:13-cv-1992-EFB 

ORDER 

 

 Plaintiff seeks judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security 

(“Commissioner”) denying his application for a period of disability and Disability Insurance 

Benefits (“DIB”) under Title II of the Social Security Act. The parties’ cross-motions for 

summary judgment are pending. For the reasons discussed below, plaintiff’s motion is denied 

and defendant’s motion is granted. 

I. BACKGROUND 

 Plaintiff filed an application for a period of disability and DIB on April 1, 2010, alleging 

that he had been disabled since June 1, 2009. Administrative Record (“AR”) 62, 119-127. 

Plaintiff’s application was denied initially and upon reconsideration. Id. at 67-69, 77-81. On 

May 3, 2012, a hearing was held before administrative law judge (“ALJ”) L. Kalei Fong. Id. at 

30-62. Plaintiff was represented by a non-attorney representative at the hearing, at which he and 

a vocational expert (“VE”) testified. Id. 

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 On July 13, 2012, the ALJ issued a decision finding that plaintiff was not disabled under 

sections 216(i) and 223(d) of the Act.1 Id. at 14-25. The ALJ made the following specific 

findings: 

1. The claimant meets the insured status requirements of the Social Security Act 

through December 31, 2013. 

2. The claimant has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since June 1, 2009, the 

alleged onset date (20 CFR 404.1520(b) and 404.1571 et seq.). 

3. The claimant has the following severe impairments: status post gunshot wound to 

the right leg, chronic pain disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive 

disorder and substance abuse (20 CFR 404.1520(c)). 

 1

 Disability Insurance Benefits are paid to disabled persons who have contributed to the 

Social Security program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401 et seq. Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) is paid 

to disabled persons with low income. 42 U.S.C. §§ 1382 et seq. Under both provisions, 

disability is defined, in part, as an “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity” due to 

“a medically determinable physical or mental impairment.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(a) & 

1382c(a)(3)(A). A five-step sequential evaluation governs eligibility for benefits. See 20 C.F.R. 

§§ 423(d)(1)(a), 416.920 & 416.971-76; Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-42 (1987). The 

following summarizes the sequential evaluation: 

 Step one: Is the claimant engaging in substantial gainful 

activity? If so, the claimant is found not disabled. If not, proceed 

to step two. 

 Step two: Does the claimant have a “severe” impairment? 

If so, proceed to step three. If not, then a finding of not disabled is 

appropriate. 

 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 automatically 

determined disabled. If not, proceed to step four. 

 Step four: Is the claimant capable of performing his past 

work? If so, the claimant is not disabled. If not, proceed to step 

five. 

 Step five: Does the claimant have the residual functional 

capacity to perform any other work? If so, the claimant is not 

disabled. If not, the claimant is disabled. 

 

Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 828 n.5 (9th Cir. 1995). 

 

 The claimant bears the burden of proof in the first four steps of the sequential evaluation 

process. Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 146 n.5. The Commissioner bears the burden if the sequential 

evaluation process proceeds to step five. Id.

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* * * 

4. The claimant does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that 

meets or medically equals one of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, 

Subpart P, Appendix 1 (20 CFR 404.1520(d)). 

* * * 

5. After careful consideration of the entire record, the undersigned finds that, based 

on all of the impairments, including the substance use disorders, the claimant has 

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

404.1567(a) except the claimant could stand and walk up to two hours, could sit 

without limitations, could lift and carry up to 10 pounds both occasionally and 

frequently, could occasionally climb ramps and stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, 

crouch and/or crawl, should avoid ladders, ropes and scaffolds, should avoid 

concentrated exposure to heights and moving machinery, was unable to perform 

simple, repetitive tasks, could not maintain regular attendance, could not perform 

work activities on a regular and continuing basis, and was unable to interact 

appropriately with supervisors, coworkers or the public. 

* * * 

6. The claimant is unable to perform any past relevant work (20 CFR 404.1565). 

* * * 

7. The claimant was born on March 7, 1975 and was thirty-four years old, which is 

defined as a younger individual age 18-49, on the alleged disability onset date (20 

CFR 404.1563). 

8. The claimant has at least a high school education and is able to communicate in 

English (20 CFR 404.1564). 

9. The claimant’s acquired job skills do not transfer to other occupations within the 

residual functional capacity defined above (20 CFR 404.1568). 

10. Considering the claimant’s age, education, work experience, and residual 

functional capacity based on all of the impairments, including substance use 

disorders, there are no jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national 

economy that the claimant can perform (20 CFR 404.1560(c) and 404.1566). 

 * * * 

11. If the claimant stopped the substance use, the remaining limitations would cause 

more than a minimal impact on the claimant’s ability to perform basic work 

activities; therefore, the claimant would continue to have a severe impairment or 

combination of impairments. 

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* * * 

12. If the claimant stopped the substance use, the claimant would not have an 

impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals any of 

the impairments listed in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (20 CFR 

404.1520(d)). 

* * * 

13. If the claimant stopped the substance use, the claimant would have the residual 

functional capacity to perform a full range of work at all exertion levels but with 

the following nonexertional limitations: the claimant can perform simple one or 

two-step tasks, in an environment with limited social contact. 

* * * 

14. If the claimant stopped the substance use, the claimant would continue to be 

unable to perform past relevant work (20 CFR 404.1565). 

* * * 

15. Transferability of job skills is not material to the determination of disability 

because using the Medical-Vocational Rules as a framework supports a finding 

that the claimant is “not disabled,” whether or not the claimant has transferable job 

skills (See SSR 82-41 and 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2). 

16. If the claimant stopped the substance use, considering the claimant’s age, 

education, work experience, and residual functional capacity, there would be a 

significant number of jobs in the national economy that the claimant could perform 

(20 CFR 404.1560(c) and 404.1566). 

* * * 

17. The substance use disorder is a contributing factor material to the determination of 

disability because the claimant would not be disabled if he stopped the substance 

use (20 CFR 404.1520(g) and 404.1535). Because the substance use disorder is a 

contributing factor material to the determination of disability, the claimant has not 

been disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act at any time from the 

alleged onset date through the date of this decision. 

Id. at 16-24. 

 Plaintiff requested that the Appeals Council review the ALJ’s decision, id. at 9-10, and on 

July 12, 2013, the Appeals Council denied review, leaving the ALJ’s decision as the final 

decision of the Commissioner. Id. at 5-7. 

///// 

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II. LEGAL STANDARDS 

 The Commissioner’s decision that a claimant is not disabled will be upheld if the findings 

of fact are supported by substantial evidence in the record and the proper legal standards were 

applied. Schneider v. Comm’r of the Soc. Sec. Admin., 223 F.3d 968, 973 (9th Cir. 2000); 

Morgan v. Comm’r of the Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 599 (9th Cir. 1999); Tackett v. Apfel, 

180 F.3d 1094, 1097 (9th Cir. 1999). 

 The findings of the Commissioner as to any fact, if supported by substantial evidence, are 

conclusive. See Miller v. Heckler, 770 F.2d 845, 847 (9th Cir. 1985). Substantial evidence is 

more than a mere scintilla, but less than a preponderance. Saelee v. Chater, 94 F.3d 520, 521 (9th 

Cir. 1996). “‘It means such evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a 

conclusion.’” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971) (quoting Consol. Edison Co. v. 

N.L.R.B., 305 U.S. 197, 229 (1938)). 

 “The ALJ is responsible for determining credibility, resolving conflicts in medical 

testimony, and resolving ambiguities.” Edlund v. Massanari, 253 F.3d 1152, 1156 (9th Cir. 

2001) (citations omitted). “Where the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational 

interpretation, one of which supports the ALJ’s decision, the ALJ’s conclusion must be upheld.” 

Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 (9th Cir. 2002). 

III. ANALYSIS 

 Plaintiff contends that in finding that he was not disabled, the ALJ erred by failing to give 

legally sufficient reasons for discrediting plaintiff’s subjective complaints. ECF No. 18 at 3-7. 

 In evaluating whether subjective complaints are credible, the ALJ should first consider 

objective medical evidence and then consider other factors. Bunnell v. Sullivan, 947 F.2d 341, 

344 (9th Cir. 1991) (en banc). If there is objective medical evidence of impairment, the ALJ then 

may consider the nature of the symptoms alleged, including aggravating factors, medication, 

treatment and functional restrictions. See id. at 345–47. The ALJ also may consider: (1) the 

applicant’s reputation for truthfulness, prior inconsistent statements or other inconsistent 

testimony, (2) unexplained or inadequately explained failure to seek treatment or to follow a 

prescribed course of treatment, and (3) the applicant’s daily activities. Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 

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1273, 1284 (9th Cir. 1996). Work records, physician and third party testimony about nature, 

severity and effect of symptoms, and inconsistencies between testimony and conduct also may be 

relevant. Light v. Soc. Sec. Admin., 119 F.3d 789, 792 (9th Cir. 1997). A failure to seek 

treatment for an allegedly debilitating medical problem may be a valid consideration by the ALJ 

in determining whether the alleged associated pain is not a significant nonexertional impairment. 

See Flaten v. Secretary of HHS, 44 F.3d 1453, 1464 (9th Cir. 1995). The ALJ may rely, in part, 

on his or her own observations, see Quang Van Han v. Bowen, 882 F.2d 1453, 1458 (9th Cir. 

1989), which cannot substitute for medical diagnosis. Marcia v. Sullivan, 900 F.2d 172, 177 n. 6 

(9th Cir. 1990). “Without affirmative evidence showing that the claimant is malingering, the 

Commissioner’s reasons for rejecting the claimant’s testimony must be clear and convincing.” 

Morgan v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 599 (9th Cir. 1999). 

 Plaintiff testified that he is not able to do any work due to physical limitations, including 

only being able to perform limited standing and walking, and generally experiencing discomfort 

due to leg pain. AR 48. However, plaintiff primarily alleged that he is unable to work due to 

mental limitations. He testified that he has problems with emotional instability, is angry all the 

time, and is “too confrontational” with others. AR 36, 45. He further testified that he experiences 

insomnia, and spends a good deal of time sleeping during the day. AR 48. 

 The ALJ found that plaintiff’s statements regarding the extent of his limitations were not 

fully credible. The ALJ provided multiple reasons for reaching this conclusion. First, the ALJ 

found that plaintiff’s allegations regarding his psychological impairments were not supported by 

the medical record. Id. at 23. While an ALJ may not rely solely on a lack of objective medical 

evidence to support an adverse credibility finding, it is a relevant consideration in assessing 

credibility. Moisa v. Barnhart, 367 F.3d 882, 885 (9th Cir. 2004). Treatment notes from January 

and February 2011 indicate that plaintiff was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, 

Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety, and mood swings, and that he struggled with 

attention and the ability to follow through with tasks. On mental examination, plaintiff was alert 

and oriented, anxious, hypervigilant, and tearful, but had logical thoughts and no suicidal 

ideation. Id. at 347-48, 350, 353, 355-56. However, the same treatment notes reflect that with 

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new medication, “he has had significant improvement,” including improved impulse control and 

mood. Id. at 347-48, 350, 355-56, 358. 

 Further, as noted by the ALJ, more recent treatment records from January 2012 reflect that 

plaintiff was experiencing much less anxiety and agitation, and his mood had improved on 

Wellbutrin and Trileptal. Id. at 293. Plaintiff also reported that he was sleeping well. Id. This 

evidence supports the ALJ’s finding that plaintiff’s allegations of disabling psychological 

impairments are not supported by the medical record. 

The ALJ also found that plaintiff’s allegations of debilitating limitations were not credible 

because the medical record indicates that plaintiff’s symptoms were controlled effectively by 

medication. As just described, the medical record document that plaintiff demonstrated 

significant improvement when on his medication. The ALJ was permitted to find that plaintiff’s 

allegations were not fully credible in light of the evidence showing that plaintiff’s mental 

impairments were managed with medication. See Rodriguez v. Colvin, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 

73838, at *21 (C.D. Cal. May 29, 2014) (“Impairments that can be effectively treated with 

medication, even if they are not cured, are not disabling for purpose of Social Security benefits.”);

Wader v. Astrue, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 113006, at *8 (S.D. Cal. Sept. 30, 2011) (“That 

medication is effective in controlling a claimant’s symptoms is a valid consideration in weighing 

the credibility of a claimant’s testimony that such symptoms are disabling”). 

The ALJ did observe, however, that there was some evidence supporting plaintiff’s 

subjective complaints. AR 23. Specifically, the ALJ noted that treatment records from 2011 

described plaintiff “as decompensating, anxious and fidgety with limited judgment, insight and 

circumstantial thoughts.” Id. However, as noted by ALJ, during this time plaintiff had 

voluntarily stopped all psychiatric medication in order to try “a natural method of care.” Id.; see 

AR 327-28. Plaintiff’s failure to comply with his medication regiment was a proper consideration 

in assessing plaintiff’s credibility. See Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1112 (9th Cir. 2012) 

(“[In] assessing a claimant’s credibility, the ALJ may properly rely on unexplained or 

inadequately explained failure to seek treatment or to follow a prescribed course of treatment.”) 

(internal quotations omitted). 

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Thus, contrary to plaintiff’s contention, the ALJ gave several clear and convincing 

reasons, each supported by substantial evidence, for discrediting plaintiff’s allegations of 

disabling impairments. Accordingly, the ALJ did not err in assessing plaintiff’s credibility. 

IV. CONCLUSION 

 The ALJ applied the proper legal standard and supported his decision with substantial 

evidence. Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED that: 

 1. Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is denied; 

 2. The Commissioner’s cross-motion for summary judgment is granted; and 

 3. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment in the Commissioner’s favor. 

DATED: March 16, 2015. 

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