Richard Thorsnes v. Carolyn Colvin

MEMORANDUM

Richard Allen Thorsnes appeals the district court’s decision affirming the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration’s (“SSA”) denial of his application for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for the period of March 2009 through January 2011. Because the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) properly weighed the evidence to determine that Thorsnes was not disabled prior to his 65th birthday under the terms of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 423 (d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3), we affirm.

We review the ALJ’s findings of fact for substantial evidence in the record and the district court’s decision de novo. Mayes v. Massanari, 276 F.3d 453, 458-59 (9th Cir. 2001). The excerpts of record in this case are sealed, so our disposition does not repeat the facts, which are known to the parties.

The SSA applies a five-step analysis to determine whether an applicant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 (a). Steps one through three are not contested in this case. Before moving to step four, the ALJ must determine the applicant’s residual functional capacity. Id. at § 404.1520(e). Thorsnes challenges the ALJ’s determination of his residual functional capacity based on the…