Home Sinthavong v. Louis W. Sullivan, Secretary

993 F.2d 884 NOTICE: Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3 provides that dispositions other than opinions or orders designated for publication are not precedential and should not be cited except when relevant under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel. Home SINTHAVONG, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Louis W. SULLIVAN, Secretary, Defendant-Appellee. No. 91-56110. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Submitted Feb. 2, 1993. * Decided May 17, 1993. Before: PREGERSON, LEAVY, and TROTT, Circuit Judges. 1 MEMORANDUM ** 2 Home Sinthavong ("Sinthavong") is a 59-year old Laotian who applied for Supplemental Security Income disability benefits shortly after immigrating to the United States. His application was denied initially and on reconsideration. Following a hearing before an administrative law judge ("ALJ"), Sinthavong's claim of disability was again rejected. The decision became final when the Appeals Council upheld the ALJ's ruling, whereupon Sinthavong filed the instant action in federal district court. Sinthavong and the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services ("Secretary"), filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The district court granted the…