Case Name: Robert GUARDADO, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Michael J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant-Appellee
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2013-02-14
Citations: 508 F. App'x 650
Docket Number: No. 11-57225
Parties: Robert GUARDADO, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Michael J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant-Appellee.
Judges: Before: HUG, FARRIS, and LEAVY, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 508
Pages: 650–651

Head Matter:
Robert GUARDADO, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Michael J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant-Appellee.
No. 11-57225.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Submitted Jan. 22, 2013.
Filed Feb. 14, 2013.
Steven Gilbert Rosales, Law Office of Lawrence D. Rohlfing, Santa Fe Springs, CA, for Plaintiff-Appellant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney LA, Office Of The U.S. Attorney, Los Angeles, CA, Jeffrey Chen, Social Security Administration Office of the General Counsel, San Francisco, CA, for Defendant-Appellee.
Before: HUG, FARRIS, and LEAVY, Circuit Judges.
The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).

Opinion:
MEMORANDUM
Robert Guardado appeals the judgment of the district court affirming the Commissioner's final decision denying Guardado disability benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 401-434, 1381-1383f. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review the district court's decision de novo. Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1214 n. 1 (9th Cir.2005). We affirm.
The second step of the Social Security Administration's five-step disability evaluation screens out claimants who do not have a "severe impairment" or "combination of impairments" that significantly limits the claimant's "physical or mental ability to do basic work activities." 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). A disability must be present for at least twelve months continuously or be expected to result in death. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). The claimant bears the burden at step two. Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146 n. 5, 107 S.Ct. 2287, 96 L.Ed.2d 119 (1987).
The administrative law judge ("ALJ") determined that Guardado did not establish a severe impairment or combination of impairments present for at least twelve months. This conclusion is supported by substantial evidence. After back surgery in 2005, Guardado's work disability was listed as two months. Guardado's hypertension was described as appropriately controlled with medication. The record does not indicate that Guardado has continuously severe back or heart problems.
Guardado argues that the ALJ erred in its analysis of the medical opinion from Dr. Singh, who performed an examination at the request of the Social Security Administration. The ALJ explicitly considered Dr. Singh's opinion based upon his diagnosis and functional assessment. Dr. Singh's assessment is not inconsistent with the ALJ's finding that Guardado did not satisfy the twelve month duration requirement.
Guardado argues that the ALJ improperly rejected the opinion of the non-examining state agency physician, Dr. Gilpeer. However, there is nothing in Dr. Gilpeer's physical residual capacity assessment that would support a determination that Guar-dado has satisfied the twelve month duration requirement.
Guardado argues that an individual of his age and education who is limited to light work is presumptively disabled pursuant to the applicable medical-vocational guidelines. This argument is unpersuasive because the guidelines are applied at step five of the sequential evaluation process where a claimant has already been found to have a severe impairment. See Lounsburry v. Barnhart, 468 F.3d 1111, 1114 (9th Cir.2006).
AFFIRMED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.