Branson

Branson v. Commissioner, Social Security Administration

Good Law
97 F. App'x 176
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitMay 14, 2004No. 03-35089; D.C. No. CV-02-00234-ALHCalifornia283 words

Opinion

Lead Opinion

MEMORANDUM *

Jerry D. Branson appeals the district court order affirming the decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration that applied 42 U.S.C. § 424a(a), the workers’ compensation offset provision, to his disability award. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and affirm.

Because the parties are familiar with the facts, we. do not recount them in detail except as necessary. We review de novo the district court’s decision to uphold the Commissioner’s denial of benefits. Merrill v. Apfel, 224 F.3d 1083, 1084 (9th Cir. 2000). We reverse if the Commissioner’s findings of fact are not supported by substantial evidence or if there was legal error. Id. at 1084-85 .

The parties contest whether Branson’s Oregon workers’ compensation award was reduced because of Oregon’s reverse offset provision. Or.Rev.Stat. § 656.209(1). The ALJ found that Branson did not establish that the workers’ compensation payments received were for permanent total disability, and did not establish that the insurer applied a Social Security offset to reduce the value of his workers’ compensation award. Thus, he concluded, the Social Security offset provision was properly…

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