Opinion ID: 658182
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Matthews' Pain

Text: 5 We require specific findings when an ALJ rejects a claimant's subjective allegation of pain. Miller v. Heckler, 770 F.2d 845, 848 (9th Cir.1985). The ALJ made the following statements to support his findings: 6 I note that the claimant is under no current treatment for his condition save for chiropractic treatment and since 1988, has described minimal use of pain medications to control his symptoms. As the claimant told Dr. Strassberg in June 1989, his back pain has actually decreased since surgery; it does not interfere with his sleep and does not preclude his performance of housecleaning, light gardening[,] and shopping. At the hearing, the claimant testified that he continues to do housecleaning including vacuuming and dishwashing. Such activities and the lack of any other steps being taken by the claimant to relieve his pain undermines [sic] his assertion of disabling pain. Finally, I note that the claimant is attending school three days a week, an activity which is inconsistent with an alleged inability to perform all work. 7 Dr. Strassberg, a neurologist who examined Matthews on June 14, 1989, stated in his report that Matthews' sensory symptoms appear to be somewhat less severe than he presents and that his pain, though truly present, may be mildly amplified by him. In light of Dr. Strassberg's report, from which much of the ALJ's findings were drawn, the ALJ's findings are supported by substantial evidence.