Elletson
Elletson v. Astrue
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM **
Gloria Elletson appeals from the judgment affirming the Commissioner of Social Security’s final decision to deny her application for disability insurance benefits. The Social Security regulations establish a five-step inquiry to determine whether a claimant is entitled to benefits, 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 (a), and Elletson contests the administrative law judge’s (“ALJ”) findings at Steps Four and Five. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.
Elletson first challenges the ALJ’s adverse credibility finding. When, as in this case, a claimant presents objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment, and there is no evidence of malingering, the ALJ may reject her testimony about the severity of her symptoms only by offering specific, clear, and convincing reasons for doing so. Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1035-36 (9th Cir.2007). In determining that a person’s claim of total disability is not credible, “an ALJ may weigh inconsistencies between the claimant’s testimony and [her] conduct, daily activities, and work reeord, among other factors.” Bray v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 554 F.3d 1219, 1227 (9th Cir.2009) (citing Light v.…