Opinion ID: 3062901
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The MRFCA

Text: Ehrisman argues that the ALJ erred by not completing an MRFCA. This argument is unpersuasive. In the case of a “colorable claim of mental impairment, the social security regulations require the ALJ to complete a [Psychiatric Review Technique Form (“PRTF”)] and append it to the decision, or incorporate its mode of analysis into his findings and conclusions. Failure to do so requires remand.” Moore, 405 F.3d at 1214 (emphasis added); see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520a(e)(2), 416.920a(e)(2). Social Security regulations “require the ALJ to use the ‘special technique’ dictated by the PRTF for evaluating mental impairments.” Moore, 405 F.3d at 1213 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520a(a)); 20 C.F.R. § 416.920a(a). “This technique requires separate evaluations on a four-point scale of how the claimant’s mental impairment impacts four functional areas: ‘activities of daily living; social functioning; concentration, persistence, or pace; and episodes of decompensation.’” Moore, 4 405 F.3d at 1213 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520a(c)(3–4)); 20 C.F.R. § 416.920a(c)(3–4). “The ALJ is required to incorporate the results of this technique into the findings and conclusions.” Moore, 405 F.3d at 1213–14 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520a(e)(2)); 20 C.F.R. § 416.920a(e)(2). The record shows that while considering Ehrisman’s depression, the ALJ properly employed the four PRTF functional limitation categories and rendered a finding about the degree of limitation as to each category. R2 at 19; see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520a(b) and (c), 416.920a(b) and (c). In evaluating her mental limitations, the ALJ concluded that Ehrisman had “mild restriction of activities of daily living; mild difficulties in maintaining social functioning; moderate difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence or pace; and no episodes of decompensation.” R2 at 19. Ehrisman has cited no controlling authority holding that, in addition to performing a PRTF analysis, the ALJ must complete a separate MRFCA form or undertake a separate MRFCA analysis. The ALJ’s decision indicates that he appropriately incorporated the PRTF mode of analysis into his findings and conclusions, as required by the Social Security regulations.1 Accordingly, we find no error. 1 See Maier v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 154 F.3d 913, 915 (9th Cir. 1998) (holding that the ALJ did not err by failing to append a MRFCA form because the form does not encompass any of the criteria involved in steps one through four). 5