JONKER

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

I.

PROCEEDINGS

Plaintiff filed this action on June 4, 2009, seeking review of the Commissioner’s denial of his application for Disability Insurance Benefits. The parties filed Consents to proceed before the undersigned Magistrate Judge on June 16, 2009, and July 10, 2009. The parties filed a Joint Stipulation on January 4, 2010, that addresses their positions concerning the disputed issues in the case. The Court has taken the Joint Stipulation under submission without oral argument.

II.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiff was born on May 9, 1956. [Administrative Record (“AR”) at 143.] He has completed high school, and has past relevant work experience as an air-conditioning mechanic, cashier, maintenance man, and maintenance supervisor. [Id. at 22, 76, 165-71.]

Plaintiff filed his application for Disability Insurance Benefits on October 24, 2005, alleging that he has been unable to work since June 1, 2003, because of issues with his lower back, shoulders, and right knee. [Id. at 88, 143-47, 157-58.] After his application was denied initially and on reconsideration, plaintiff requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). [Id. at 88-92, 93-97,…