Opinion ID: 454901
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: 5 We normally affirm a district court's grant of summary judgment if the record establishes any basis that supports the order. Jewel Companies v. Pay Less Drug Stores Northwest, Inc., 741 F.2d 1555, 1564-65 (9th Cir.1984). However, an agency's decision can be upheld only on a ground upon which it relied in reaching that decision. Memorial, Inc. v. Harris, 655 F.2d 905, 911 (9th Cir.1980); see generally American Textile Manufacturers Institute v. Donovan, 452 U.S. 490, 539, 101 S.Ct. 2478, 2505, 69 L.Ed.2d 185 (1981) (the post hoc rationalizations of the agency or the parties to this litigation cannot serve as a sufficient predicate for agency action). Accordingly, we can affirm the district court's summary judgment order only if we conclude that the PRRB's decision was justified on either of the two grounds set forth in that decision. See SEC v. Chenery Corp., 318 U.S. 80, 87-88, 63 S.Ct. 454, 459-460, 87 L.Ed. 626 (1943). 6 In reviewing the Secretary's decisions, we are governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. Secs. 701 et seq. (1982). We cannot uphold the agency's determinations if they are arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, not in accordance with law, or unsupported by substantial evidence on the record taken as a whole. Villa View Community Hospital, Inc. v. Heckler, 720 F.2d 1086, 1090 (9th Cir.1983) (citing 5 U.S.C. Sec. 706(2) (1982) ); White Memorial Medical Center v. Schweiker, 640 F.2d 1126, 1129 (9th Cir.1981). 7 We give deference to the Secretary's interpretation of her own regulations where [s]he has expertise in the substantive area involved and where the regulations were promulgated pursuant to congressional authorization. Villa View, 720 F.2d at 1090; accord White Memorial, 640 F.2d at 1129. However, [t]he interpretation must sensibly conform to the purpose and wording of the regulations. Villa View, 720 F.2d at 1090 (quoting Pacific Coast Medical Enterprises v. Harris, 633 F.2d 123, 131 (9th Cir.1980) ). Because the Secretary's interpretations of her regulations are without force of law, although they are entitled to some deference, we must consider them with caution. Moody Nursing Home, Inc. v. United States, 621 F.2d 399, 402 (Ct.Cl.1980). We will not uphold them if their application produces a result inconsistent with the statute and regulations. Sun Towers, Inc. v. Heckler, 725 F.2d 315, 325 & n. 16 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 105 S.Ct. 100, 83 L.Ed.2d 45 (1984); Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center v. Schweiker, 718 F.2d 459, 464 (D.C.Cir.1983); Advanced Health Systems, Inc. v. Schweiker, 510 F.Supp. 965, 969 (D.Colo.1981). 8