Opinion ID: 3049417
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Orn’s Testimony

Text: Orn also argues that the ALJ erred in discrediting his testimony. Orn testified that his impairments included fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty with concentration, and the frequent need for medical treatment. The ALJ excluded those impairments in determining Orn’s RFC. The ALJ concluded that Orn’s testimony describing his “fatigue, shortness of breath and dysfunction” was “not totally credible.” [11] An ALJ is not “required to believe every allegation of disabling pain” or other non-exertional impairment. See Fair v. Bowen, 885 F.2d 597, 603 (9th Cir. 1989). However, to discredit a claimant’s testimony when a medical impairment has 8472 ORN v. ASTRUE been established, the ALJ must provide “ ‘specific, cogent reasons for the disbelief.’ ” Morgan, 169 F.3d at 599 (quoting Lester, 81 F.3d at 834). The ALJ must “cit[e] the reasons why the [claimant’s] testimony is unpersuasive.” Id. Where, as here, the ALJ did not find “affirmative evidence” that the claimant was a malingerer, those “reasons for rejecting the claimant’s testimony must be clear and convincing.” Id. [12] Social Security Administration rulings specify the proper bases for rejection of a claimant’s testimony. See S.S.R. 02-1p (Cum. Ed. 2002), available at Policy Interpretation Ruling Titles II and XVI: Evaluation of Obesity, 67 Fed. Reg. 57,859-02 (Sept. 12, 2002); S.S.R. 96-7p (Cum. Ed. 1996), available at 61 Fed. Reg. 34,483-01 (July 2, 1996). An ALJ’s decision to reject a claimant’s testimony cannot be supported by reasons that do not comport with the agency’s rules. See 67 Fed. Reg. at 57860 (“Although Social Security Rulings do not have the same force and effect as the statute or regulations, they are binding on all components of the Social Security Administration, . . . and are to be relied upon as precedents in adjudicating cases.”); see Daniels v. Apfel, 154 F.3d 1129, 1131 (10th Cir. 1998) (concluding that ALJ’s decision at step three of the disability determination was contrary to agency regulations and rulings and therefore warranted remand). Factors that an ALJ may consider in weighing a claimant’s credibility include reputation for truthfulness, inconsistencies in testimony or between testimony and conduct, daily activities, and “unexplained, or inadequately explained, failure to seek treatment or follow a prescribed course of treatment.” Fair, 885 F.2d at 603; see also Thomas, 278 F.3d at 958-59. [13] The ALJ gave four reasons for rejecting Orn’s testimony. Each of these reasons is improper under Social Security Rulings, our case law, or both.
First, the ALJ rejected Orn’s testimony because he had failed to lose weight. The ALJ wrote: ORN v. ASTRUE 8473 [A]lthough the claimant testified his treating physician has not advised him to diet, the medical record indicates he was given an 1800 calorie diabetic diet to follow. (Exhibit 8F, page 14). However, the claimant’s weight remains in excess of 300 pounds. It may be that some of claimant’s restrictions and symptoms are aggravated by excess weight. There is no indication that the claimant has maintained a weight loss program to reduce his weight and pro- mote better health, which detracts from his credibility. And is non compliance with his doctor’s instructions. In using Orn’s failure to lose weight as a basis for denying benefits, and in concluding that this failure “detracts from his credibility,” the ALJ both ignored a Social Security Ruling and misapplied our case law.
In September 2002, the Secretary issued a new ruling specifically addressing obesity. In relevant part, the ruling provides: Treatment for obesity is often unsuccessful. Even if treatment results in weight loss at first, weight is often regained, despite the efforts of the individual to maintain the loss.