Aguilar v. Barnhart
Aguilar v. Barnhart
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
We review de novo a district court’s order upholding the Commissioner’s denial of benefits. See Tidwell v. Apfel, 161 F.3d 599, 601 (9th Cir. 1999). We must uphold the Commissioner’s decision if it is supported by substantial evidence and if it is free of legal error. See id.
We uphold the Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ”) characterization of Aguilar’s impairment because the evidence was susceptible to more than one rational interpretation. See Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1039-40 (9th Cir. 1995). Further, the ALJ properly rejected the vague and conclusory opinion of Aguilar’s treating physician that she could not work because of a medical condition. See Johnson v. Shalala, 60 F.3d 1428, 1432-33 (9th Cir. 1995). Also, because the ALJ made specific findings supported by evidence in the record, the ALJ did not err in discrediting Aguilar’s claims that the degree of pain she experienced prevented her from returning to work. See Flaten v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 44 F.3d 1453, 1464 (9th Cir. 1995). Accordingly, substantial evidence supported the ALJ’s conclusion that Aguilar was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act.
Aguilar’s remaining contentions lack merit.
AFFIRMED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Holly AGUILAR v. Jo Anne B. BARNHART, Commissioner of Social Security Administration
- Status
- Published