Donald Blodgett v. Commissioner Social Security Administration

MEMORANDUM

Donald Blodgett appeals from the district court’s judgment affirming a determi nation by the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) that Blodgett is not disabled and is therefore ineligible for Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and review de novo a district court’s decision upholding the ALJ’s denial of disability benefits. Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035, 1038 (9th Cir.2008). “The Secretary’s decision to deny benefits will be disturbed only if it is not supported by substantial evidence or it is based on legal error.” Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 750 (9th Cir.1989) (internal quotation marks omitted). We affirm.

First, the ALJ reasonably discredited Blodgett’s testimony, finding that his statements concerning the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of his symptoms were inconsistent with his treatment record. His record indicated that Blodgett experienced minimal or no side effects from his anti-human immunodeficiency virus medications, was social and had no difficulty getting along with other people, was independent and capable of performing routine daily tasks, and did…