Opinion

Leonard v. Commissioner Social Security Administration

Court
District Court, D. Oregon
Filed
Aug 23, 2024
Cited by
0 cases
Authority
More cited than 31.8%

“[T]he ALJ must specifically identify the testimony she or he finds not to be credible and must explain what evidence undermines the testimony.”

How later courts described this case

  • “[T]he ALJ must specifically identify the testimony she or he finds not to be credible and must explain what evidence undermines the testimony.”
  • “Impairments that can be controlled effectively with medication are not disabling”
  • holding ALJ’s are required to consider lay witness testimony and provide “reasons germane to each witness” to properly reject it
  • discussing the five-step evaluation in detail

Written by the judges who cited it.

The opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF OREGON

PAMELA L., Ca se No. 3:23-cv-00533-AR

Plaintiff, OPINION AND

ORDER

v.

COMMISSIONER SOCIAL SECURITY

ADMINISTRATION,

Defendant.

_____________________________________

ARMISTEAD, Magistrate Judge

In this judicial review of the Commissioner’s final decision denying Social Security

benefits, Pamela L. (last name omitted for privacy) challenges the Administrative Law Judge’s

evaluation of her subjective symptom testimony, the medical opinion of Kellie Osterbaan, PsyD.,

and the lay opinion of Leatha Carter. (Pl.’s Br. at 3, 10, 11.) As explained below, although the

ALJ erred in discounting plaintiff’s testimony based on her activities of daily living, the ALJ

identified other clear and convincing reasons that are supported by substantial evidence and,

Page 1 – OPINION AND ORDER

therefore, that error is harmless. The ALJ did not err in finding Dr. Osterbaan’s opinion

unpersuasive and provided germane reasons for discounting Carter’s lay testimony. The

Commissioner’s decision therefore is AFFIRMED.1

ALJ’S DECISION

In denying plaintiff’s application for Title II Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) and

Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the ALJ followed the five-step sequential

evaluation process.2 As a preliminary matter, the ALJ determined plaintiff met the insured status

through December 31, 2019. (Tr. 17.) At step one, the ALJ determined plaintiff had not engaged

in substantial gainful activity since January 3, 2018.3 At step two, the ALJ determined that

plaintiff had severe impairments including: degenerative disc disease, left shoulder degenerative

joint disease, status post aneurism coiling with mild transient ischemia attack (TIA), restless leg

syndrome (RLS), obesity, PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. (Tr. 17-18.) At

step three, the ALJ determined that plaintiff’s impairments, singly or in combination, did not

meet or medically equal the severity of any listed impairment. (Tr. 19.)

As for the RFC, the ALJ found that plaintiff could perform light work with the following

additional limitations:

1 This court has jurisdiction under 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3), and the parties

have consented to jurisdiction by magistrate judge under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 73 and

28 U.S.C. § 636(c).

2 To determine a claimant’s disability, the ALJ must apply a five-step evaluation. See 20

C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). If the ALJ finds that a claimant is either disabled or not

disabled at any step, the ALJ does not continue to the next step. Id.; see also Parra v. Astrue, 481

F.3d 742, 746-47 (9th Cir. 2007) (discussing the five-step evaluation in detail).

3 The ALJ incorrectly identified plaintiff’s onset date as September 1, 2019, in her opinion.

Plaintiff amended her onset date to January 3, 2018, both by letter and at the hearing. See Tr. 44,

282.

Page 2 – OPINION AND ORDER

[S]he can frequently climb ramps and stairs; can occasionally climb ladders,

ropes, scaffolds; can frequently stoop and crawl; should have no more than

frequent exposure to extreme cold, extreme heat, loud industrial noise, vibrations,

and hazards (such as unprotected heights and exposed moving mechanical parts);

and has sufficient concentration, persistence, and pace to complete short and

simple tasks for a normal workday and workweek with normal breaks.

(Tr. 21.)

At step four, with that RFC, the ALJ found plaintiff is unable to perform any past

relevant work. (Tr. 29.) Considering plaintiff’s age, education, work experience, and RFC, the

ALJ determined at step five that jobs exist in significant numbers in the national economy that

she could perform, including the representative occupations of cafeteria attendant, cleaner

housekeeper, and small products assembler.4 (Tr. 29-30.)

The district court must affirm the Commissioner’s decision if the Commissioner applied

proper legal standards and the findings are supported by substantial evidence in the record. 42

U.S.C. § 405(g); Ford v. Saul, 950 F.3d 1141, 1154 (9th Cir. 2020). Substantial evidence is

“more than a mere scintilla” and is “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as

adequate to support a conclusion.” Biestek v. Berryhill, 139 S. Ct. 1148, 1154 (2019) (quotation

and citation omitted). To determine whether substantial evidence exists, the court must weigh all

the evidence, whether it supports or detracts from the Commissioner’s decision. Garrison v.

Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1009 (9th Cir. 2014).

\ \ \ \ \

\ \ \ \ \

4 As noted in White v. Kijakazi, 44 F.4th 828, 835 (9th Cir. 2022), the SSA has been

working on a transition to a new Occupational Information System since 2008. The transition has

not yet occurred, and the Ninth Circuit has encouraged the SSA, along with its sister circuits, “to

make the transition to a system that more accurately reflects available jobs in the current

economy.” Id.

Page 3 – OPINION AND ORDER

DISCUSSION

A. Subjective Symptom Testimony

To determine whether a claimant’s testimony about subjective pain or symptoms is

credible, an ALJ must perform two stages of analysis. Trevizo v. Berryhill, 871 F.3d 664, 678

(9th Cir. 2017); 20 C.F.R. § 416.929. The first stage is a threshold test in which the claimant

must produce objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment that could reasonably be

expected to produce the symptoms alleged. Treichler v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 775 F.3d

1090, 1102 (9th Cir. 2014); Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir. 2008). At the

second stage, absent affirmative evidence that the claimant is malingering, the ALJ must provide

clear and convincing reasons for discounting the claimant’s testimony about the severity of her

symptoms. Carmickle v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155, 1160 (9th Cir. 2008);

Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1036 (9th Cir. 2007). The ALJ must make findings that

are specific enough to permit the reviewing court to conclude that the ALJ did not arbitrarily

discredit the claimant’s testimony. Brown-Hunter v. Colvin, 806 F.3d 487, 493 (9th Cir. 2015).

Factors the ALJ may consider when making those credibility determinations include the

objective medical evidence, the claimant’s treatment history, the claimant’s daily activities, and

inconsistencies in testimony. Ghanim v. Colvin, 763 F.3d 1154, 1163 (9th Cir. 2013);

Tommasetti, 533 F.3d at 1039.

At her administrative hearing and in her function reports, plaintiff stated that she cannot

work because of her physical pain and debilitating anxiety. (Tr. 50-51, 323.) She testified that

she is unable to work because her body is “broken down” and she has constant pain. (Tr. 50-51.)

She stated that she must “take breaks to get off [her] feet or regroup to focus on what [she] is

doing.” (Tr. 323.) Plaintiff testified that she has pain in her feet that feels like she is “walking on

Page 4 – OPINION AND ORDER

rocks” and that her ankles and knees “give out.” (Tr. 51.) Plaintiff stated that, although she goes

to the grocery store for her parents, she often will avoid the trip due to her anxiety, and only

shops in stores one or two times a month. (Tr. 51, 324, 326.) Plaintiff testified that she no longer

takes her two dogs outside and is looking to rehome them. (Tr. 50.)

The ALJ discounted plaintiff’s symptom testimony because statements regarding her

work history, her activities of daily living, and her medical treatment history were inconsistent

with her claimed symptom severity and limitations. Plaintiff challenges each of the ALJ’s

reasons.

1. Inconsistent Statements Regarding Work History

At the hearing, plaintiff testified that she is self-employed as a house cleaner, and that she

had worked “between seven and eight hours a day twice a week, sometimes three times a week”

until 2018. (Tr. 45-46.) Upon further questioning by the ALJ, plaintiff stated that she reduced her

hours worked to “on average” ten hours a week in 2018, but that the number was just an

estimate, as her memory was “really bad.” (Tr. 46.) Plaintiff now argues that the ALJ used that

testimony to create a conflict where none existed—by first acknowledging that plaintiff merely

provided an estimate as to when she reduced her working hours, and then using the estimated

hours to undermine her symptom testimony despite plaintiff explaining that she has a bad

memory. (Pl. Br. at 6, citing Tr. 46.) Plaintiff further asserts that the ALJ erred by using the

“supposed conflict” to undermine her general credibility, rather than providing specific examples

of testimony and the evidence that undermines that testimony, as required under Ninth Circuit

law. (Pl. Br. at 7.)

In the decision, the ALJ pointed out that, although plaintiff reported reducing her work

hours in February 2018 due to her medical conditions, plaintiff’s work history report failed to

Page 5 – OPINION AND ORDER

show any work in 2018, and that she had no work above the level of substantial gainful activity

(SGA) since December 2013. (Tr. 22, citing Tr. 309-10, 321.) The ALJ concluded that plaintiff’s

“inconsistent report of reducing work activities in early 2018 suggests that some of her

statements about her symptoms and related limitations are not entirely reliable.” (Tr. 22.)

The ALJ did not err in considering plaintiff’s inconsistent statements regarding her work

history. Indeed, an ALJ may consider many factors when weighing a claimant’s credibility,

including prior inconsistent statements concerning the symptoms and other testimony by the

claimant that appears less than candid. Tommasetti, 533 F.3d at 1039. Furthermore, plaintiff’s

argument that the ALJ relied on her hearing testimony when finding her statements to be

inconsistent is not supported by the record. The ALJ did not cite plaintiff’s hearing testimony

where she testified her dates and hours worked were mere estimates. The ALJ’s decision cited

only work history records submitted by plaintiff in connection with her disability application,

and an SGA evaluation conducted by agency representatives. Because plaintiff had no work in

2018, her alleged onset date, and her records reveal that she has had no SGA since 2013, the ALJ

could reasonably infer that her reduced hours are unrelated to her alleged limitations and

discount her testimony on that basis. That finding is supported by substantial evidence and is

sufficiently specific to allow the court to meaningfully review the ALJ’s reasoning. As such, the

ALJ did not err.

2. Activities of Daily Living

An ALJ may reject symptom allegations that are inconsistent with a claimant’s ability to

perform normal ADLs. Smartt v. Kijakazi, 53 F.4th 489, 499-500 (2022); 20 C.F.R. §

416.929(c)(3)(i)). There are two ways ADLs may support such rejection: (1) the ADLs

contravene the claimant’s allegations of functional limitations; or (2) the ADLs “meet the

Page 6 – OPINION AND ORDER

threshold for transferrable work skills[.]” Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 639 (9th Cir. 2007).

“Even where those activities suggest some difficulty functioning, they may be grounds for

discrediting the claimant’s testimony to the extent that they contradict claims of a totally

disabling impairment.” Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1113 (9th Cir. 2012), superseded on

other grounds by 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a).

Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in discounting her testimony based on her daily

activities because the ALJ failed to identify any specific activities that exceeded her stated

limitations, or that could translate to full-time work. (Pl. Br. at 10.)

The ALJ pointed to reports from plaintiff that she “tak[es] care of her parents, driving

them to appointments, running errands, getting groceries, and sometimes trimming bushes.” (Tr.

25.) The ALJ further noted that plaintiff takes care of two dogs by herself, lives alone, carries out

household chores alone, drives, shops, and manages her own funds. (Tr. 25.) The ALJ cited

records from 2019 where plaintiff reported spending “a great deal of time” working as a

Jehovah’s Witness. (Tr. 25, citing Tr. 424.) Although those activities raise questions about

portions of plaintiff’s testimony, the ALJ failed to link those activities with which symptoms and

limitations testified to by plaintiff. See Burrell v. Colvin, 775 F.3d 1133, 1138 (9th Cir. 2014) (an

ALJ must identify “which daily activities conflicted with which part of [plaintiff’s] testimony”).

Furthermore, the ALJ’s attempt to link specific symptom testimony to activities

inconsistent with that testimony falls short of the standard required for clear and convincing

rationale. For example, the ALJ cited a treatment note from 2021 that “referenced [plaintiff]

going to the airport (PDX), which seems inconsistent with her testimony of mostly staying home

due to anxiety.” (Tr. 25, citing Tr. 1948.) However, the record cited by the ALJ does not indicate

when plaintiff went to PDX, and counseling notes say “[d]iscussed [history] of trauma going to

Page 7 – OPINION AND ORDER

PDX when ‘someone pulled a gun out of their trunk and pointed it at us.’” (Tr. 1948.) Nothing

about the context of the note indicates the timing of the traumatic event, beyond that it was

historical. As such, the court cannot conclude this example amounts to an inconsistency between

plaintiff’s testimony and her activities. Additionally, the ALJ stated that plaintiff “testified that

she could not even go to the grocery store due to anxiety, but also testified that grocer[y] stores

were one of the places she goes, which suggests that some of her statements about her limitations

in activities of daily living are not entirely reliable.” (Tr. 25.) This misrepresents plaintiff’s

testimony, as she testified that she can “hardly even get out of the house to get groceries” and

clarified that at times, she will drive by the store without stopping for groceries due to anxiety.

(Tr. 51.) Nowhere does plaintiff attest to being completely unable to go to the grocery store.

The ALJ’s analysis failed to identify clear and convincing reasons backed by substantial

evidence to show that that plaintiff performed activities that are inconsistent with her allegations.

Because the ALJ did not explain “which daily activities conflicted with which part of [plaintiff’s]

testimony,” the ALJ erred. See Burrell, 775 F.3d at 1138; Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195,

1208 (9th Cir. 2001) (“[T]he ALJ must specifically identify the testimony she or he finds not to

be credible and must explain what evidence undermines the testimony.”).

2. Routine, Limited Treatment and Improvement with Treatment

Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred in evaluating her medical treatment history. First

plaintiff argues that the ALJ erroneously relied on routine and conservative treatment, because

she failed to identify less-conservative treatments that might be effective are available. Plaintiff

also asserts the ALJ failed to identify what testimony was rejected in concluding her spinal

disorders and shoulder condition “would not prevent her from working full time.” (Pl. Br. at 23.)

Finally, plaintiff argues the ALJ made only general credibility findings with regard to plaintiff’s

Page 8 – OPINION AND ORDER

mental health symptom testimony, again failing to link specific testimony to evidence.

An ALJ may rely on limited treatment or lack of treatment when considering a plaintiff’s

symptom allegations. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(3)(v); SSR 16-3p, available at 2017 WL

5180304, at *9 (ALJ may consider frequency and extent of treatment sought when evaluating the

alleged intensity and persistence of a claimant’s symptoms). Additionally, evidence of medical

treatment successfully relieving symptoms can undermine a claim of disability. See 20 C.F.R. §

416.920a(c)(1); see also Warre v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 439 F.3d 1001, 1006 (9th Cir.

2006) (“Impairments that can be controlled effectively with medication are not disabling”)

(citations omitted).

The ALJ discounted her symptom allegations because (1) records show plaintiff’s

treatments were routine and limited in nature; and (2) she reported improvement to her mental

health, including full resolution of her panic attacks. The ALJ’s conclusions here are specific,

clear and convincing. As noted, plaintiff’s records show only minimal and routine treatment for

her impairments during the relevant time period. (See Tr. 450-503, 529, 799-806, 835-36, 1516-

20, 1762.) The ALJ identified specific instances where plaintiff complained to providers of back

pain, but noted plaintiff did not seek additional evaluation from a specialist, relying mostly on

physical therapy and acupuncture for symptom relief. (Tr. 23, citing Tr. 464, 468, 480, 484, 498.)

Plaintiff’s shoulder pain was initially evaluated in 2017, prior to her AOD. (Tr. 23, citing Tr.

687.) The ALJ also noted that during the relevant time, plaintiff rarely complained of shoulder

pain, and did not appear to follow up on referrals for additional treatment such as aqua therapy.

(Tr. 23, citing Tr. 1762.) Contrary to plaintiff’s assertions, the ALJ identified alternative and

more aggressive treatment options plaintiff could have pursued, including following up on and

seeking additional evaluation of her conditions from specialists, and requesting alternative

Page 9 – OPINION AND ORDER

treatment methods such as energy treatment for back pain, and more robust pain medication. (Tr.

23, 24.) The ALJ’s findings are a reasonable interpretation of the record and are backed by

substantial evidence.

Finally, the ALJ did not err in concluding that plaintiff’s mental health symptoms were

controlled with medication. Plaintiff’s records show that her emotional attacks were sufficiently

controlled with symptoms of panic abating within ten minutes of taking half a lorazepam. (Tr.

1891.) Plaintiff ceased mental health therapy in 2021, due to schedule conflicts. (Tr. 25, citing

Tr. 1825.) She reported that she was going to “be safe without counseling,” declining an option

for less frequent therapy sessions and referrals to other mental health resources. (Tr. 1825.)

Contrary to plaintiff’s contention, the ALJ did not cherry-pick the record and linked specific

testimony to evidence in the record undermining that testimony. Accordingly, the ALJ has

provided specific, clear and convincing reasons, supported by substantial evidence for

discounting plaintiff’s symptom testimony.

Plaintiff makes a passing reference to the ALJ’s objective medical analysis, stating that

“[t]hroughout the decision, the ALJ is erroneously critical of the state of the objective evidence,

and essentially requires full objective corroboration.” (Pl. Br. at 8.) To the extent that plaintiff is

contending that the ALJ erred in discounting plaintiff’s subjective symptom testimony because it

is not supported by objective medical evidence, that argument is undeveloped. In her opening

brief, plaintiff provides no specific examples beyond that discussed above of the asserted error

for the court to consider.

In short, although the court has identified an error in the ALJ’s assessment of plaintiff’s

subjective symptom testimony, ultimately that error is harmless, because the ALJ provided other

clear and convincing rationales supported by substantial evidence to support the conclusions. See

Page 10 – OPINION AND ORDER

Carmickle, 533 F.3d at 1162 (upholding the ALJ’s overall credibility finding despite finding

some credibility factors were invalid).

B. Kellie Osterbaan’s Medical Opinion

The regulations require that ALJs evaluate the supportability and consistency of a

medical opinion when assessing its persuasiveness. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520c. ALJs must

“articulate . . . how persuasive [they] find all of the medical opinions” and “explain how [they]

considered the supportability and consistency factors.” Woods v. Kijakazi, 32 F.4th 785, 792 (9th

Cir. 2022) (quoting 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520c(b)(2)). Supportability is determined by assessing

whether the medical source provides explanations and objective medical evidence to support

their opinion. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920c(c)(1). Consistency is determined by evaluating how

consistent the opinion is with evidence from other medical and nonmedical sources in the record.

20 C.F.R. § 416.920c(c)(2).

Plaintiff argues that the ALJ improperly rejected Dr. Osterbaan’s opinion and failed to

explain her supportability and consistency analysis, as required by agency rules. (Pl. Br. at 11-

12.) Specifically, plaintiff alleges the ALJ erroneously relied on conflicts between Dr.

Osterbaan’s opinion about her concentration and the record that were not supported by

substantial evidence.

Dr. Osterbaan submitted a treating source mental health questionnaire dated January 10,

2022, assessing plaintiff as markedly limited in maintaining attention and concentration, and

moderately limited in responding appropriately to criticism from supervisors and changes in the

workplace. (Tr. 2034-36.) The ALJ found Dr. Osterbaan’s opinion unpersuasive because her

treatment notes did not show any observations of difficulty with attention and concentration to

Page 11 – OPINION AND ORDER

support a marked limitation. (Tr. 28, citing Tr. 1948-50, 2028-32.) Additionally, the ALJ

concluded Dr. Osterbaan’s opinion was inconsistent with

the relatively routine mental health treatment, the report of panic attacks resolving

with treatment, the observations of normal concentration and memory, the

observations of normal mood and affect in many appointments, the lack of reports

to providers of persistent difficulty functioning outside of the home, and the

claimant’s function report, which indicates that she can interact appropriately with

authority figures.”

(Tr. 28, citing 328, 549, 800-06, 841-46, 1516-20, 1552-1607, 1675, 1687, 1803-71, 1891, 1995,

2001.) Further, the ALJ found Dr. Osterbaan’s assessed marked limitations inconsistent with her

ability to perform some work, assist others with errands and shopping, care for pets, engage in

church activities, drive, and prepare meals. (Tr. 28-29, citing Tr. 323, 424, 843, 1591, 1601,

1948.)

As the ALJ found, Dr. Osterbaan’s own treatment notes do not assess plaintiff with the

level of limitations proffered in her opinion; thus, the ALJ adequately discussed how the

supportability factor was considered. And as highlighted above, the ALJ described how her

opinion was inconsistent with other medical evidence in the record. The ALJ’s reasons on

supportability and consistency are supported by substantial evidence in the record. Accordingly,

the ALJ did not err in finding Dr. Osterbaan’s opinion unpersuasive.

C. Lay Testimony of Leatha Carter

Lay witness testimony about a claimant’s symptoms is competent evidence that an ALJ

must consider unless she “expressly determines to disregard such testimony and gives reasons

germane to each witness for doing so.” Lewis v. Apfel, 236 F.3d 503, 511 (9th Cir. 2001). An

exception to the rule applies, however, “[w]here lay witness testimony does not describe any

limitations not already described by the claimant, and the ALJ’s well-supported reasons for

Page 12 – OPINION AND ORDER

rejecting the claimant’s testimony apply equally well to the lay witness testimony.” Molina, 674

F.3d at 1118-19; see also Valentine v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 574 F.3d 685, 694 (9th Cir.

2009) (“In light of our conclusion that the ALJ provided clear and convincing reasons for

rejecting [the claimant’s] own subjective complaints, and because [the claimant’s wife’s]

testimony was similar to such complaints, it follows that the ALJ also gave germane reasons for

rejecting her testimony.”).

In September 2020, plaintiff’s friend, Leatha Carter, provided a third-party function

report, attesting to plaintiff’s limitations. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to provide reasons

germane for rejecting Carter’s lay witness testimony. (Pl. Br. at 10-11.) Plaintiff further asserts

that the ALJ erred in failing to identify which of Carter’s statements she found to be inconsistent

with the record. (Pl. Br. at 11.)

The ALJ found Carter’s testimony unpersuasive. Although Carter’s opinion was

“generally consistent” with plaintiff’s allegations, the ALJ concluded Carter had assessed greater

limitations than those within the RFC. The ALJ further described how Carter’s statement was

inconsistent with

routine neurology appointments for the aneurysm, the lack of neurology

appointments after 2020, the lack of evidence showing significant and/or

persistent complications from the aneurysm or TIA, the limited treatment for

headaches and vision disturbances, the relatively limited treatment for spinal

disorders during the period at issue, the medical imaging showing no more than

moderate spinal abnormalities, the observations of normal strength and mostly

normal gait, and the limited observations of pain behavior, the x-ray showing only

mild left shoulder disorder, the limited treatment for shoulder symptoms, the lack

of observations showing signs of significant and persistent dysfunction in the

upper extremities, the relatively routine mental health treatment, the report of

panic attacks resolving with treatment, the observations of normal concentration

and memory, the observations of normal mood and affect in many appointments,

the lack of reports to providers of persistent difficulty functioning outside of the

home, and the evidence of activities of daily living including working part time,

helping parents with errands and other activities, taking care of pets, doing church

Page 13 – OPINION AND ORDER

activities, driving, shopping in stores, preparing meals, and doing housework

without assistance.

(Tr. 26).

The ALJ sufficiently addressed Carter’s opinion and provided adequate, germane reasons

for rejecting it. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to specify which of Carter’s statements were

inconsistent with the record, but ALJs are not required to link specific lay testimony to specific

evidence to discount it; that level of detailed analysis 1s required only when analyzing a

claimant’s testimony, not that of a lay witness. Bruce v. Astrue, 557 F.3d 1113, 1115 (9th Cir.

2009) (holding ALJ’s are required to consider lay witness testimony and provide “reasons

germane to each witness” to properly reject it). The ALJ here met both requirements as she

specifically considered Carter’s statements and determined that they were substantively similar

to plaintiff's symptom testimony. The ALJ then provided reasons relevant to Carter’s testimony,

including medical treatment history and daily activities, that were inconsistent with her described

limitations. The ALJ did not err.

CONCLUSION

For the above reasons, the court AFFIRMS the Commissioner’s final decision.

DATED: August 23, 2024

‘

f |. we,

. JER ARMIQTEAD

United States Magistraté Judge

Page 14 — OPINION AND ORDER

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

A word about cookies

We need a few to keep you signed in and the library working. The rest help us see which pages people use and where they get stuck. They stay off unless you say yes.