Collier

Collier v. Barnhart

Good Law
77 F. App'x 991
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitOctober 17, 2003No. 03-55467; D.C. No. CV-02-05110-AJWCalifornia275 words

Opinion

Lead Opinion

MEMORANDUM ***

Etta M. Collier appeals the district court’s summary judgment affirming the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration’s denial of her application for Title XVI Supplemental Security Income benefits. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We review de novo the district court’s decision, and we review for substantial evidence and legal error the Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ”) decision. Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 (9th Cir.2002). We affirm.

*992 On remand from the district court to further develop the record, Collier refused to cooperate or undergo further testing and explicitly stated that she desired the ALJ to determine her eligibility for benefits on the existing record. The record, however, contained no evidence that Collier’s psychiatric condition constituted a severe impairment lasting longer than 12 months; in fact, her treating physician opined that she would likely recover in 12 months with suitable treatment. The record also indicated that Collier passed the Los Angeles County civil service examination 13 months after her initial diagnosis of depression and was presently gainfully employed. Therefore, the ALJ’s…

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