JOHN LEE MCLAUGHLIN v. NANCY BERRYHILL (2017)

MEMORANDUM*

The sole issue in this appeal is whether the district court abused its discretion in remanding John McLaughlin's claim for disability benefits to the Social Security Administration for further proceedings, rather than ordering an award of benefits. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and affirm.

1. The district court concluded, and the Commissioner concedes on appeal, that the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) erred in discrediting the medical opinion of one of McLaughlin's treating physicians without providing specific and legitimate reasons supported by substantial evidence. The ALJ also erred in discrediting the opinion of a nurse practitioner without providing reasons germane to her. See Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1111 (9th Cir. 2012).

2. Although the credit-as-true rule permits remand for an immediate award of benefits in some cases when an ALJ improperly discredits a medical opinion, a remand for further proceedings remains appropriate if conflicts in the record create a serious doubt that a claimant is disabled. See Treichler v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 775 F.3d 1090, 1101, 1107 (9th Cir. 2014). The district court did not abuse its discretion by concluding that the record in this case contains substantial evidence consistent with non-disability, including evidence that McLaughlin's pain and symptoms were well-treated by treatment and medication.¹

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

1.   Because we remand on an open record, we do not address McLaughlin's arguments that the ALJ improperly discounted his testimony about his symptoms and subjective pain.