Opinion ID: 715825
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Remand for Award of Benefits

Text: 95 We have discretion to remand a case either for additional evidence and findings or to award benefits. Swenson, 876 F.2d at 689. We may direct an award of benefits where the record has been fully developed and where further administrative proceedings would serve no useful purpose. Id. 96 In the past, we have credited evidence and remanded for an award of benefits where (1) the ALJ has failed to provide legally sufficient reasons for rejecting such evidence, (2) there are no outstanding issues that must be resolved before a determination of disability can be made, and (3) it is clear from the record that the ALJ would be required to find the claimant disabled were such evidence credited. See Rodriguez v. Bowen, 876 F.2d 759, 763 (9th Cir.1989) (crediting treating physician's uncontroverted testimony and awarding benefits); Swenson, 876 F.2d at 689 (crediting subjective symptom testimony and awarding benefits); Varney v. Secretary of Health & Human Servs., 859 F.2d 1396, 1401 (9th Cir.1988) (same). 97 In this case, the ALJ's reasons for discrediting Smolen's subjective symptom testimony, the physicians' opinions, and the lay testimony were legally insufficient. There are no outstanding issues to preclude us from making a disability determination on the merits. The record is fully developed and, considering the evidence that the ALJ improperly discredited, a finding of disability is clearly required. Smolen has already waited over seven years for her disability determination, and additional proceedings would only delay her receipt of benefits. Therefore, we find that Smolen was disabled throughout the relevant period, and reverse and remand for determination of benefits. 98 REVERSE and REMAND. Costs to Appellant.