(SS) Bitler v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

19 Plaintiff William David Bitler, Jr., (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of the final decision 20 of the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his 21 application for disability insurance benefits pursuant to Title II of the Social Security Act. The 22 matter is currently before the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted without oral 23 argument to the Honorable Gary S. Austin, United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 15 and 24 16. Having reviewed the record as a whole, the Court finds that the ALJ’s decision is supported 25 by substantial evidence and applicable law. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s appeal is denied. 26 ///

1 The parties consented to the jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 6 and 7. II. Procedural Background On November 24, 2013, Plaintiff filed an application for disability insurance benefits alleging disability beginning October 18, 2012. AR 25. The Commissioner denied the application initially on March 11, 2014, and again following reconsideration on August 1, 2014. AR 25. On September 22, 2014, Plaintiff filed a request for a…