Leonard Nollen v. Michael Astrue

MEMORANDUM

Leonard Nollen appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the Commissioner’s denial of disability benefits. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and review the administrative decision for substantial evidence. Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1110-11 (9th Cir.2012). We affirm.

The administrative law judge gave specific reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record to support the residual functional capacity assessment. He provided a detailed summary of the medical evidence, interpreted the evidence, and made findings. He explained that he gave more weight to the treating medical records and examining physician, but gave some weight to the non-examining opinion because it was supported by the treating medical records. Because the limitations that Dr. Bagby diagnosed were limited to a twelve-month period and the ALJ’s decision was made more than twelve months after Dr. Bagby’s opinion, the ALJ’s residual functional capacity assessment does not conflict with Dr. Bagby’s recommendation.

Any error the administrative law judge made by not explaining why he found that Nollen could occasionally lift 20 pounds was harmless…