Case Explained: POTTER V. BISIGNANO

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Filed: 2026-06-22 Docket: 2:24-cv-01891-MLP The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court’s judgment upholding the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of Hailey Potter’s application for supplemental security income disability benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. The court applied a de novo standard of review, affirming the administrative law judge’s (ALJ) decision because it was supported by substantial evidence and free from legal error. The court held that the ALJ properly rejected the medical source opinions of Drs. Escobar, Yun, and Edwards under 20 C.F.R. § 416.920c(b) by providing explanations based on supportability and consistency. Specifically, the ALJ found Dr. Escobar’s physical limitations unsupported by objective exam results and conservative treatment records; Dr. Yun’s mental health assessment inconsistent with treatment history and unsupported by the lack of symptom reports prior to a telephone evaluation; and Dr. Edwards’s psychological evaluation based primarily on subjective reporting while failing to account for Plaintiff’s cannabis use, which was linked to hallucinations in other medical records. Additionally, the court found the ALJ provided specific, clear, and convincing reasons to reject Potter’s testimony regarding the intensity and severity of her symptoms, citing treatment records that showed improvement and physical exams with no significant deficits. As a practical consequence, the denial of disability benefits remains in effect, and Potter is not entitled to the supplemental security income she sought. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.