Rivera v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration

1 WO [5] 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA [8] 9 Peggy Ann Rivera, No. CV-22-08095-PCT-MTL 10 Plaintiff, ORDER 11 v. 12 Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, [13] Defendant. [14] 15 At issue is the denial of Plaintiff Peggy Ann Rivera’s Application for Disability 16 Insurance Benefits under the Social Security Act by the Commissioner of the Social 17 Security Administration. Plaintiff filed a Complaint (Doc. 1) with this Court seeking 18 review of that denial. The Court has reviewed the briefs (Docs. 14, 18, 21) and the 19 Administrative Record (“A.R.”) (Doc. 11), and now affirms the Administrative Law 20 Judge’s (“ALJ”) decision. 21 I. BACKGROUND 22 Plaintiff filed an Application for Disability Insurance Benefits on March 27, 2019, 23 alleging disability beginning September 24, 2018. (A.R. at 216-222.) Plaintiff’s claim was 24 denied initially on June 27, 2019, and upon reconsideration on December 10, 2019. (Id. at 25 67-68, 82-83.) Thereafter, Plaintiff filed a written request for a hearing, (Id. at 127-128), 26 and a telephonic hearing was held on February 11, 2021. (Id. at 33-66.) The ALJ denied 27 Plaintiff’s application on May 3, 2021, (Id. at 10-32), and the Appeals Council denied 28 Plaintiff’s request for review on March 30, 2022. (Id. at 1-3.) Plaintiff now seeks judicial 1 review with this Court pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405 (g). 2 The Court has reviewed the medical evidence and will discuss the pertinent 3 evidence in addressing the issues raised by the parties. Upon considering the medical 4 evidence and opinions, the ALJ evaluated Plaintiff’s disability claim based on the 5 following severe impairments: obesity, degenerative disc disease, status post endometrial 6 carcinoma, status post laparoscopic hysterectomy, lumbar and cervical spondylosis, and 7 lower extremity neuropathy. (Id. at 15.) 8 The ALJ found that Plaintiff did not have any impairments or combination of 9 impairments that met or equaled the severity of one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. 10 Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. (Id. at 19-20.) Next, the ALJ determined Plaintiff’s 11 residual functional capacity (“RFC”).1 The ALJ found: [12] After careful consideration of the entire record, the 13 undersigned finds that the claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 14 404.1567(b) except she is able to frequently climb ramps and 15 stairs; is unable to climb ladders, ropes or scaffolds; but can frequently balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. [16] 17 (Id. at 20-25.) Based on this RFC, the ALJ found that Plaintiff “is capable of performing 18 past relevant work as a dining room manager and an office manager.” (Id. at 26.) 19 Ultimately, having reviewed the medical evidence and testimony, the ALJ concluded that 20 Plaintiff was not disabled from the alleged disability onset date through the date of the 21 decision. (Id. at 26.) 22 II. LEGAL STANDARD 23 In determining whether to reverse an ALJ’s decision, the district court reviews only 24 those issues raised by the party challenging the decision. See Lewis v. Apfel, 236 F.3d 503 , 25 517 n.13 (9th Cir. 2001). The Court may set aside the Commissioner’s determination only 26 if it is not supported by substantial evidence or is based on legal error. Orn v. Astrue, 495 27 F.3d 625, 630 (9th Cir. 2007). Substantial evidence is relevant evidence that a reasonable 28 1 Residual functional capacity refers to the most a claimant can still do in a work setting despite his or her limitations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545 (a)(1). 1 person might accept as adequate to support a conclusion considering the record as a whole. [2] Id. To determine whether substantial evidence supports a decision, the Court must consider 3 the record as a whole and may not affirm simply by isolating a “specific quantum of 4 supporting evidence.” Id. Generally, “[w]here the evidence is susceptible to more than one 5 rational interpretation, one of which supports the ALJ’s decision, the ALJ’s conclusion 6 must be upheld.” Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 (9th Cir. 2002) (citations 7 omitted). The substantial evidence threshold “defers to the presiding ALJ, who has seen 8 the hearing up close.” Biestek v. Berryhill, — U.S. —, 139 S. Ct. 1148, 1157 (2019); see 9 also Thomas v. CalPortland, 993 F.3d 1204, 1208 (9th Cir. 2021) (noting substantial 10 evidence “is an extremely deferential standard”). 11 To determine whether a claimant is disabled, the ALJ follows a five-step process. [12] 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 (a). The claimant bears the burden of proof on the first four steps, but 13 the burden shifts to the Commissioner at step five. Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094 , 1098 14 (9th Cir. 1999). At the first step, the ALJ determines whether the claimant is presently 15 engaging in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 (a)(4)(i). If so, the claimant 16 is not disabled, and the inquiry ends. Id. At step two, the ALJ determines whether the 17 claimant has a “severe” medically determinable physical or mental impairment. 20 C.F.R. 18 § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). If not, the claimant is not disabled, and the inquiry ends. Id. At step 19 three, the ALJ considers whether the claimant’s impairment or combination of impairments 20 meets or medically equals an impairment listed in Appendix 1 to Subpart P of 20 C.F.R. 21 Part 404. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 (a)(4)(iii). If so, the claimant is automatically found to be 22 disabled. Id. At step four, the ALJ assesses the claimant’s RFC and determines whether the 23 claimant is still capable of performing past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 (a)(4)(iv). 24 If so, the claimant is not disabled, and the inquiry ends. Id. If not, the ALJ proceeds to the 25 fifth and final step, where the ALJ determines whether the claimant can perform any other 26 work in the national economy based on the claimant’s RFC, age, education, and work 27 experience. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 (a)(4)(v). If not, the claimant is disabled. Id. [28] 1 III. ANALYSIS 2 Plaintiff raises two arguments for the Court’s consideration. First, Plaintiff contends 3 that the ALJ erred in rejecting the opinion of her treating physician, Linda Haggard, P.A.- 4 C. (Doc. 14 at 10.) Second, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in rejecting her symptom 5 testimony. (Id. at 18.) 6 A. Treating Physician’s Opinion 7 Plaintiff first argues that the ALJ committed materially harmful error by rejecting 8 the medical assessments from Ms. Haggard without providing sufficient explanation that 9 included a rational interpretation of the record supported by substantial evidence, including 10 failing to address the “supportability” and “consistency” factors under the agency’s 11 regulations. (Id. at 10.) 12 In 2017, the Commissioner revised the regulations for evaluating medical evidence 13 for all claims filed on or after March 27, 2017. See Revisions to Rules Regarding the 14 Evaluation of Medical Evidence, 82 Fed. Reg. 5844 , 5844 (Jan. 18, 2017). As Plaintiff’s 15 claim was filed after the effective date, the revised rules apply. (A.R. at 216-222.) Unlike 16 the old regulations, the revised rules do not require an ALJ to defer to the opinions of a 17 treating physician nor assign every medical opinion a specific evidentiary weight. 20 18 C.F.R. §§ 404 .1520c(a), 416.920c(a); see also Lester v. Charter, 81 F.3d 821 , 830−31 (9th 19 Cir. 1995) (requiring an ALJ to provide “specific and legitimate reasons that are supported 20 by substantial evidence in the record” when rejecting a treating physician’s opinion). 21 The revised rules instead require the ALJ to consider all opinion evidence and 22 determine the persuasiveness of each medical opinion’s findings based on factors outlined 23 in the regulations. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404 .1520c(a)–(b), 416.920c(a)–(b). The most important 24 factors considered by an ALJ are “consistency” and “supportability.” 20 C.F.R. 25 § 404.1520c(b)(2). Supportability is defined as how “relevant the objective medical 26 evidence and supporting explanations presented by a medical source are to support his or 27 her medical opinion(s) or prior administrative medical findings.” 20 C.F.R. 28 § 404.1520c(c)(1). Consistency means “the extent to which a medical opinion is 1 ‘consistent . . . with the evidence from other medical sources and nonmedical sources in 2 the claim.’” Woods v. Kijakazi, 32 F.4th 785, 792 (9th Cir. 2022) (citing 20 C.F.R. 3 § 404.1520c(c)(2)). The ALJ should also treat opinions as more persuasive if they are more 4 consistent with “other medical sources and nonmedical sources in the claim.” 20 C.F.R. 5 § 404.1520c(c)(2). Lastly, the ALJ can also consider, to a lesser degree, other factors, such 6 as the length and purpose of the treatment relationship, the kinds of examinations 7 performed, and whether the medical source actually examined the claimant. Woods, 32 8 F.4th at 792. 9 Recently, the Ninth Circuit held that the revised rules clearly intended to abrogate 10 its precedent requiring ALJs to provide “specific and legitimate reasons” for rejecting a 11 treating physician’s opinion. Id. Nevertheless, “[e]ven under the new regulations, an ALJ 12 cannot reject an examining or treating doctor’s opinion as unsupported or inconsistent 13 without providing an explanation supported by substantial evidence.” Id. Therefore, an 14 ALJ, “must ‘articulate . . . how persuasive’ it finds ‘all of the medical opinions’ from each 15 doctor or other source, and ‘explain how it considered the supportability and consistency 16 factors’ in reaching these findings.” Id. (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404 .1520c(b), (b)(2)) (internal 17 citation omitted). 18 The record reflects that Ms. Haggard completed a Medical Assessment of Ability to 19 do Work Related Activities in November of 2019. (A.R. at 878-881.) Ms. Haggard opined 20 that Plaintiff could sit a total of three hours and stand/walk a total of three hours in an eight21 hour day, and “must change positions frequently and must keep cane for ambulation.” (Id. 22 at 878.) She found that Plaintiff had upper extremity limitations, including that she could 23 frequently lift or carry up to five pounds and occasionally lift six to ten pounds. She could 24 occasionally handle, grip, or grasp on the right, and frequently handle, grip, or grasp on the 25 left. (Id. at 878-879.) She further found that Plaintiff could push or pull frequently with 26 both upper extremities, and could rarely perform fingering or fine manipulation. (Id. at 27 879.) Ms. Haggard stated that pain and fatigue limited her to a moderately severe degree, 28 and she determined that Plaintiff had “significant fatigue qualifying for diagnosis of 1 chronic fatigue syndrome with fibromyalgia.” (Id. at 880-881.) Ms. Haggard concluded 2 that Plaintiff required a cane as an assistive device, she would miss work due to fatigue 3 about fourteen days per month, and fatigue would cause her to be off task a total of four 4 hours in a typical workday. (Id. at 881.) 5 Ms. Haggard completed another assessment in August of 2020, again opining that 6 Plaintiff could sit for three hours and stand/walk for three hours in an eight-hour day, and 7 “must change positions frequently.” (Id. at 1067.) Ms. Haggard found that Plaintiff could 8 frequently lift or carry up to five pounds and occasionally lift six to twenty pounds. She 9 could occasionally handle, grip, or grasp on the right, and rarely handle, grip, or grasp on 10 the left. (Id. at 1067-1068.) She determined that Plaintiff could push or pull occasionally 11 with the right and rarely with the left, and found that she could occasionally perform 12 fingering or fine manipulation with both hands. (Id. at 1068.) Again, Ms. Haggard stated 13 that Plaintiff’s pain and fatigue would cause her to be off task at work to a moderately 14 severe degree and found that Plaintiff had “gastrointestinal difficulties – chronic nausea, 15 vomiting, diarrhea.” (Id. at 1069.) 16 Having considered these assessments, the ALJ found that although Ms. Haggard’s 17 opinion was partially supported by her own treatment notes, her diagnosis of chronic 18 fatigue and fibromyalgia was not supported by the medical evidence. (Id. at 25 (citing A.R. 19 at 748-795, 1166-1223).) The ALJ additionally found that there was no explanation or 20 support regarding the reason for Plaintiff’s manipulative limitations, and that Ms. 21 Haggard’s statement that Plaintiff must change positions as needed was not corroborated 22 in her treatment records or the medical evidence record as a whole. (Id.) 23 The ALJ also found that Ms. Haggard’s assertion that Plaintiff would be absent from 24 work due to fatigue for fourteen days a month was inconsistent with Plaintiff’s ability to 25 perform household chores, prepare meals, do her own grocery shopping, pick up her 26 medications, attend to her hygiene, drive a car, camp, and travel. (Id. (citing A.R. at 25527 259, 289-291, 883, 52-53).) Lastly, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s required use of a cane 28 was inconsistent with her ability to ambulate normally. (Id. (citing A.R. at 882-888, 902, 1 1106).) Thus, the ALJ was not persuaded by either of Ms. Haggard’s medical assessments. 2 The Court finds that the ALJ adequately addressed the supportability and 3 consistency factors in finding Ms. Haggard’s opinions unpersuasive. As to supportability, 4 the ALJ explained that Ms. Haggard’s diagnoses of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue 5 lacked support from the record. (Id. at 25.) Plaintiff argues that the ALJ’s conclusion is 6 unexplained and states that notations of Plaintiff’s pain and fatigue supporting Ms. 7 Haggard’s diagnoses occur throughout the record. Contrary to Plaintiff’s claim, however, 8 the ALJ specifically cited to Ms. Haggard’s medical records and assessments, (Id. at 18 9 (citing A.R. at 881, 1176)), and explained that “the record does not include evidence of at 10 least 11 positive tender points on physical examination or of repeated manifestations of six 11 or more fibromyalgia symptoms, signs, or co-occurring conditions, as required by SSR 1212 2p.” The ALJ continued her analysis finding that “there is no objective medical evidence 13 or diagnostic testing supporting a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.” (Id.) 14 Regarding consistency, the ALJ found a lack of support in the medical records for 15 Plaintiff’s manipulative limitations and Ms. Haggard’s statement that Plaintiff had to 16 change positions as needed and required the use of a cane. (Id. at 25.) Although Plaintiff 17 again argues that the ALJ’s finding is unsupported and belied by the record, the ALJ 18 addressed these issues in her discussion of the objective medical evidence. (Id. at 22-23, 19 25.) For example, the ALJ specifically cited to evidence demonstrating that Plaintiff had 20 normal muscle strength and tone in her upper and lower extremities; was able to ambulate 21 normally and without difficulty; could sit, stand, and walk without discomfort; had a 22 normal gait and appropriate balance; had negative straight leg raise test; and was able to 23 pick up small coins with both hands, screw a nut into a bolt with both hands, and write her 24 name without difficulty.2 (Id. at 22-23, 25 (citing A.R. at 882-888, 910, 977, 986, 1017, 25 1160).) The ALJ also found Ms. Haggard’s finding that Plaintiff would be absent fourteen [26] 2 In her discussion of the objective medical evidence, the ALJ cited to evidence gathered 27 during a consultative examination performed by Douglas Denney, P.A.-C. (Id. at 22-23.) While the ALJ relies on the cited evidence to support her findings, the ALJ ultimately 28 found the remainder of Denney’s opinion, concluding that Plaintiff’s physical limitations would not persist for 12 continuous months, unpersuasive. (Id. at 24.) 1 days every month inconsistent with Plaintiff’s activity level. (Id. at 25.) The ALJ 2 specifically identified Plaintiff’s ability to perform household chores, prepare meals, do 3 her own grocery shopping, pick up her medications, attend to her hygiene, drive a car, 4 camp, and travel. (Id. (citing A.R. at 255-259, 289-91, 883).) 5 The Court finds the ALJ properly explained how she considered the supportability 6 and consistency factors, and provided substantial evidence to support her conclusion. 7 While Plaintiff argues that the record supports her position, when the evidence supports 8 more than one rational interpretation, the ALJ’s decision must be upheld. See Burch v. 9 Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 679 (9th Cir. 2005) (“Where evidence is susceptible to more than 10 one rational interpretation, it is the ALJ’s conclusion that must be upheld.”); see also 11 Thomas, 278 F.3d at 954 . Moreover, it is the ALJ’s responsibility, not this Court’s, to 12 determine credibility and resolve ambiguities in the record. Ford v. Saul, 950 F.3d 1141 , 13 1149 (9th Cir. 2020) (“Throughout the five-step evaluation, the ALJ ‘is responsible for 14 determining credibility, resolving conflicts in medical testimony, and for resolving 15 ambiguities.’”) (quoting Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir. 1995)). 16 Accordingly, the ALJ did not err in finding Ms. Haggard’s assessments to be unpersuasive. 17 B. Plaintiff’s Symptom Testimony 18 Plaintiff argues that the ALJ committed materially harmful error by rejecting 19 Plaintiff’s symptom testimony without “specific, clear and convincing reasons supported 20 by substantial evidence” in the record. (Doc. 14 at 18.) 21 In evaluating a claimant’s symptom testimony, the ALJ employs a two-step process. 22 Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1014 (9th Cir. 2014). First, the ALJ considers whether 23 the claimant has presented objective medical evidence of an impairment “which could 24 reasonably be expected to produce the pain or symptoms alleged.” Lingenfelter v. Astrue, [25] 504 F.3d 1028 , 1035–36 (9th Cir. 2007) (quoting Bunnell v. Sullivan, 947 F.2d 341 , 344 26 (9th Cir. 1991) (en banc) (internal quotation marks omitted)). Second, if the claimant 27 presents such evidence, “the ALJ can reject the claimant’s testimony about the severity of 28 her symptoms only by offering specific, clear and convincing reasons for doing so.” 1 Garrison, 759 F.3d at 1014−15 (citing Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1281 (9th Cir. 2 1996)). The Ninth Circuit has expressly held that a claimant “need not show that her 3 impairment could reasonably be expected to cause the severity of the symptom she has 4 alleged; she need only show that it could reasonably have caused some degree of the 5 symptom.” Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1282 (internal citation omitted). The clear and convincing 6 standard is the most demanding in Social Security cases. Garrison, 759 F.3d at 1015 . And 7 an ALJ’s “vague allegation” that a claimant’s symptom testimony is inconsistent with the 8 medical record does not meet the clear and convincing standard. Treichler v. Comm’r of 9 Soc. Sec. Admin., 775 F.3d 1090 , 1102–03 (9th Cir. 2014). Similarly, an ALJ cannot satisfy 10 the clear and convincing standard based solely upon “a lack of medical evidence to fully 11 corroborate the alleged severity of pain.” Burch, 400 F.3d at 680 . Rather, in making 12 credibility determinations, an ALJ may consider a variety of factors in evaluating symptom 13 testimony including, “[the claimant’s] reputation for truthfulness, inconsistencies either in 14 his testimony or between his testimony and his conduct, his daily activities, his work 15 record, and testimony from physicians and third parties concerning the nature, severity, 16 and effect of the symptoms of which he complains.” Light v. Soc. Sec. Admin., Comm’r, [17] 119 F.3d 789, 792 (9th Cir. 1997) (citations omitted). 18 According to the record, Plaintiff testified she initially stopped working because of 19 pain, weakness, and dizziness caused by her pituitary tumor and dysautonomia, and was 20 later diagnosed with uterine cancer. (A.R. at 45-47.) She testified she used a cane “about 21 half the time, when the pain gets really bad” and felt that it helped keep pressure off of her 22 right leg. (Id. at 49-50.) Plaintiff also testified she had pain in her neck that radiated into 23 her arms, trouble gripping and grasping things, and tremors in her hands. (Id. at 56-57.) 24 She stated that she could sit for fifteen to twenty minutes before she had to stand up, and 25 could stand for ten to fifteen minutes at a time. (Id. at 51-52.) Also, Plaintiff stated that she 26 lived alone and could cook simple food for herself, and that she went to the food bank for 27 her groceries. (Id. at 52.) Plaintiff testified she could go to the pharmacy for herself and 28 carry one bag at a time from the supermarket. (Id. at 52-53.) She stated that she flew to 1 Texas a few times to visit her niece, who helped her after she became homeless. (Id. at 53.) 2 Plaintiff further testified that she had headaches that varied from a few minutes to several 3 hours, and had urinary and bowel incontinence requiring her to use the bathroom ten to 4 fifteen times in the first few hours of being awake. (Id. at 54-55.) Finally, Plaintiff stated 5 that she had to lie down several times during a typical day. (Id. at 56.) 6 In evaluating her testimony, the ALJ determined that step one was satisfied as “the 7 claimant’s medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to cause 8 some of the alleged symptoms.” (Id. at 21.) The ALJ, however, rejected Plaintiff’s 9 symptom testimony, offering two reasons. First, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s “statements 10 concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of [her] symptoms are not entirely 11 consistent with the medical evidence and other evidence in the record.” (Id. at 21-23.) 12 Second, the ALJ reasoned that Plaintiff “has not described an activity level that is as limited 13 as would be expected given her reports of disabling symptoms and limitations.” (Id. at 2314 24.) 15 1. Inconsistency with Objective Medical Record 16 In support of her first reason for discounting Plaintiff’s symptom testimony, the ALJ 17 identified multiple examples of medical evidence in the record addressing Plaintiff’s 18 impairments and limitations. (Id. at 16, 18, 21-23.) As to Plaintiff’s back/body pains and 19 testimony that she uses a walking cane about half the time, the ALJ identified, for instance, 20 “normal” EMG testing in June 2019 revealing no electrophysiological evidence of 21 radiculopathy, plexopathy, neuropathy, or myopathy affecting the upper or lower 22 extremities, and a July 2020 EMG revealing only “mild” polyneuropathy. (Id. at 22-23.) 23 The ALJ noted that although further imaging studies in July 2019 revealed age-appropriate 24 degenerative changes of the spine, upon examination in November 2019, Plaintiff was 25 observed to be in no acute distress. (Id. at 22.) Examination revealed that she sat in her 26 chair without discomfort, “was able to stand, walk to the examination table, get onto it and 27 sit on the table without assistance or difficulty.” (Id.) Plaintiff demonstrated normal gait, 28 “was able to stoop without difficulty, . . . [and] was able to lift . . . each foot off the ground 1 and stand without assistance.” (Id. at 22-23.) Plaintiff had normal muscle strength and 2 normal muscle bulk in her upper and lower extremities, and she exhibited normal range of 3 motion in her extremities/spine and her straight leg raise test was negative. (Id. at 23.) 4 Records revealed that, based on these findings, Plaintiff’s prescribed assistive device was 5 not medically necessary. (Id.) 6 The ALJ additionally identified medical records addressing Plaintiff’s endometrial 7 carcinoma, dizziness, vomiting, incontinence, and testimony that she used the bathroom 8 ten to fifteen times during the first few hours after she got up. (Id. at 16, 18, 22-23.) The 9 ALJ found that although Plaintiff was treated for endometrial carcinoma with a 10 laparoscopic hysterectomy, the record revealed that Plaintiff had no symptoms or 11 limitations following her surgery. (Id. at 22-23.) The ALJ also noted that while Plaintiff 12 reported incontinence after surgery, she denied experiencing any incontinence to her other 13 medical providers. (Id. at 22.) Similarly, the ALJ found that Plaintiff never reported to 14 treatment providers that she used the bathroom ten to fifteen times when she got up. (Id. at 15 16, 23.) Lastly, as to her dizziness and vomiting, the ALJ found that there was no clear 16 explanation and a lack of any identifiable impairment diagnosed to explain these 17 symptoms. (Id. at 18, 23.) 18 Plaintiff contends that the ALJ failed to connect specific medical evidence to 19 inconsistencies in her symptom testimony. But the ALJ’s opinion addressed each of 20 Plaintiff’s alleged impairments in separate paragraphs and examined the objective medical 21 evidence relating to the individual impairments. (Id. at 16, 18, 22-23); see Garrison, 759 22 F.3d at 1018 (an ALJ “must rely on examples to show why they do not believe that a 23 claimant is credible”). The listed evidence directly relates to the inconsistencies the ALJ 24 found in Plaintiff’s symptom testimony. 25 Plaintiff also argues that the ALJ based her decision on normal findings in the record 26 but failed to consider findings that were consistent with Plaintiff’s symptom testimony. 27 However, “[w]here evidence is susceptible of more than one rational interpretation, it is 28 the ALJ’s conclusion [that] must be upheld; and in reaching his findings, the ALJ is entitled 1 to draw inferences logically flowing from the evidence.” Gallant v. Heckler, 753 F.2d 2 1450, 1453 (9th Cir. 1984) (citation omitted); see Batson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., [3] 359 F.3d 1190, 1193 (9th Cir. 2004). Again, the trier of fact “must resolve conflicts in the 4 evidence, and if the evidence can support either outcome, the court may not substitute its 5 judgment for that of the ALJ.” Matney v. Sullivan, 981 F.2d 1016, 1019 (9th Cir. 1992); 6 see Benton ex rel. Benton v. Barnhart, 331 F.3d 1030, 1035 (9th Cir. 2003) (“If the 7 evidence can support either outcome, the Commissioner’s decision must be upheld.”). 8 Thus, the ALJ properly relied on the objective medical evidence in rejecting Plaintiff’s 9 symptom testimony. 10 2. Plaintiff’s Daily Activities 11 In support of her second reason for discounting Plaintiff’s symptom testimony, the 12 ALJ identified multiple activities from Plaintiff’s testimony, daily activity questionnaires, 13 and consultation exam reports indicating that Plaintiff was not as limited as would be 14 expected given her reports of disabling symptoms and limitations. (A.R. at 17-18, 23-24.) 15 Where the “record reflects that the claimant has normal activities of daily living 16 including cooking [and] house cleaning . . . [this] suggest[s] that the claimant may still be 17 capable of performing the basic demands of competitive, remunerative, unskilled work on 18 a sustained basis.” Stubbs-Danielson v. Astrue, 539 F.3d 1169, 1175 (9th Cir. 2008). While 19 a claimant is not required to be completely incapacitated to be found disabled, an ALJ may 20 consider the Plaintiff’s daily activities to determine whether they are inconsistent with the 21 alleged symptoms. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529 (c)(3)(i) (permitting consideration of a 22 claimant’s daily activities when weighing symptoms). 23 Here, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was capable of performing household chores, 24 preparing meals, doing her own grocery shopping, picking up her medications, and 25 traveling. (Id. at 17, 23.) Plaintiff indicated that she is capable of driving a car and camping, 26 and she denied that her symptoms caused a significant impact on her activities of daily 27 living. (Id. at 17-18, 23-24.) Lastly, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was able to complete self28 care activities, was not confined to a bed, and was getting adequate sleep. (Id. at 18, 24.) 1 Plaintiff argues this is an insufficient reason to reject her symptom testimony as the 2 ALJ did not show that a substantial part of a typical day was spent engaged in activities 3 inconsistent with her testimony or consistent with the ability to work. But even if the 4 evidence is not clear on how long or often Plaintiff performed her daily activities, as long 5 as the ALJ’s determination is reasonable, it is not the Court’s role to second-guess it. See 6 Rollins v. Massanari, 261 F.3d 853, 857 (9th Cir. 2001) (holding that, even when record 7 was equivocal about how long and often plaintiff engaged in daily activities, because ALJ’s 8 interpretation was reasonable the court would not second-guess it). Here, the ALJ provided 9 a reasonable determination based on substantial evidence that Plaintiff’s daily activities 10 were incompatible with the severity of her alleged symptoms. Thus, the ALJ did not err in 11 discounting Plaintiff’s symptom testimony on this basis. See Ghanim v. Colvin, 763 F.3d 12 1154, 1165 (9th Cir. 2014) (“Engaging in daily activities that are incompatible with the 13 severity of symptoms alleged can support an adverse credibility determination.”); Singh v. 14 Commissioner of Social Security Administration, No. CV-19-02315-PHX-MTM, 2020 WL 15 5757620, at *3 (D. Ariz. Sept. 28, 2020) (finding that an ALJ did not err in discounting 16 plaintiff’s allegations of disabling symptoms and limitations because they were 17 inconsistent with her reported activities). 18 Therefore, the Court finds the ALJ properly relied on “specific, clear and convincing 19 reasons” supported by substantial evidence in rejecting Plaintiff’s symptom testimony. 20 Garrison, 759 F.3d at 1014−15 (citing Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1281 ). 21 /// 22 /// 23 /// 24 /// 25 /// 26 /// 27 /// 28 /// IV. CONCLUSION 2 Accordingly, 3 IT IS ORDERED affirming the May 3, 2021 decision by the Administrative Law 4|| Judge and the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. 5 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED directing the Clerk of the Court to enter judgment 6 || consistent with this Order and close this case. 7 Dated this 28th day of June, 2023. [8] Wicha T. Sibir Michael T. Liburdi 11 United States District Judge [28] -14-