Darden v. Bisignano — 9th Cir. (argued July 9, 2026)
The Ninth Circuit hears Patrick Darden's Social Security disability appeal. A district court found that an administrative law judge improperly relied on semi-skilled jobs without finding that Darden had transferable skills. It sent the case back for more agency proceedings, but Darden asks instead for benefits or a different administrative law judge. The Commissioner says unanswered factual questions support another hearing. The Ninth Circuit later affirmed the district court's choice.
Darden v. Bisignano (No. 25-3348) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued July 9, 2026.
Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/media/2026/07/09/25-3348.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/archive?case=25-3348&hearingDate=2026-07-09
Memorandum disposition — Darden v. Bisignano:https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/memoranda/2026/07/29/25-3348.pdf
Decision record — Darden v. Bisignano:https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/25-3348/25-3348-2026-07-29.html
Residual functional capacity — 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545:https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/20/404.1545
Residual functional capacity — Zavalin v. Colvin:https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2015/02/20/13-35276.pdf
- 0:00Introduction
- 2:03Residual functional capacity