Gilkison
Gilkison v. Massanari
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM ****
Appellant Judy Gilkison filed an application for Social Security disability benefits on January 26, 1996, after being diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis and an anxiety disorder. The application was denied, and Gilkison requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). The hearing was held on February 26, 1997. Following the hearing, the ALJ issued a decision holding that Gilkison was not disabled under the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 401 et seq., because her impairments did not prevent her from performing past relevant work as an “administrative assistant.” Gilkison requested a review by the Appeals Council, which was denied. Gilkison then filed suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Following briefing by the parties, the district judge entered judgment affirming the ALJ’s decision. Gilkison filed this timely appeal. We review the district court’s decision de novo and will uphold the ALJ’s decision if it is supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole and free from legal error. See Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1097 (9th Cir.1999).