Jennifer Hootman v. Commissioner of Social Security

MEMORANDUM

Jennifer Hootman appeals from the district court’s judgment affirming the Commissioner’s denial of her applications for Social Security disability insurance and Supplemental Security Income benefits. Hootman argues that the ALJ erred in discounting the opinion of her treating psychologist, her own testimony, and evidence from lay witnesses; that the ALJ failed to develop the record; that the ALJ failed to consider that Hootman’s impairment equaled the relevant disability listing; and that the hypothetical posed to the vocational expert failed to incorporate salient limitations. Reviewing de novo, we affirm.

1. The ALJ properly discounted the opinion of Hootman’s treating psychologist because his opinion was inconsistent with other medical evidence, including the opinion of the examining psychologist. These inconsistencies constituted “ ‘specific and legitimate reasons’ supported by substantial evidence in the record” for discounting the treating psychologist’s opinion. Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir.1995) (quoting Murray v. Heckler, 722 F.2d 499, 502 (9th Cir.1983)).

2. The record supports the ALJ’s decision discrediting Hootman’s testimony. The ALJ made…