Jeffrey Churchill v. Carolyn W. Colvin

MEMORANDUM

Jeffrey Churchill appeals the district court’s order upholding the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of his request for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we vacate and remand.

We review de novo the district court’s order upholding the Commissioner’s denial of benefits. Edlund v. Massanari, 253 F.3d 1152, 1156 (9th Cir.2001). We will reverse such a decision only if it is based on legal error or is not supported by substantial evidence. Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 (9th Cir.2002).

The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) found Churchill was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act, and therefore was not entitled to SSI benefits. The ALJ relied on the conclusions of Dr. Linda Jansen, Dr. Kent Reade, and Dr. Mary A. Gentile. She rejected the opinion of Dr. David Moore, who evaluated Churchill for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services pursuant to Churchill’s application for welfare benefits. The ALJ stated only that “Dr. Moore’s opinion is not supported by the objective medical evidence,” and therefore granted it “little weight.” The ALJ also failed to include…