Ireland

MEMORANDUM ***

Carmen Ireland applied for Social Security benefits under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act on February 20, 2002, alleging a disability onset date of January 1, 1998. She was last insured for Title II benefits on July 30, 2000. The Social Security Administration denied benefits. After exhausting her administrative remedies, Ireland sought review in the District Court for the District of Oregon, which affirmed the denial of benefits. She timely appealed that decision.

The Social Security Administration’s “disability determination should be upheld unless it contains legal error or is not supported by substantial evidence.” Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 630 (9th Cir.2007). We “cannot rely on independent findings *81 of the district court. We are constrained to review the reasons [for the decision] the [Administrative Law Judge] asserts.” Connett v. Barnhart, 340 F.3d 871, 874 (9th Cir.2003).

I.

Ireland suffers from dysthymia, a form of chronic low-grade depression, and from an anxiety disorder that causes recurring anxiety and panic attacks. The attacks are first recorded in her medical records in 1999. Ireland lost her last job that year, and has not…