Facts

Plaintiff James R. Aldrich sought judicial review of a final decision by the Commissioner of Social Security denying his claim for disability insurance benefits.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that the administrative law judge rejected the medical opinions of his physician with insufficient reasons. Additionally, Plaintiff contended that the ALJ erred by rejecting his symptom testimony in the absence of specific, clear, and convincing reasons supported by substantial evidence. Lastly, plaintiff contended that the presiding ALJ was not properly appointed under the Constitution and therefore lacked legal authority to hear and decide the case.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant denied the contentions.

Result

The court granted defendant's cross motion for summary judgment. To begin, it found that the ALJ provided specific and legitimate reasons for rejecting the physician's assessment because it was inconsistent with other findings. Second, the ALJ appropriately rejected Plaintiff's subjective symptom testimony claiming he was disabled because the treatment records illustrated that conservative treatment modalities alleviated his symptoms. Finally, plaintiff did not raise the validity of the ALJ's appointment at the administrative level or at any time before his present motion, and therefore he forfeited that claim.