(SS) Martinez v. Commissioner of Social Security

INTRODUCTION

19 Teresa Martinez (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 20 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for 21 disability benefits pursuant to the Social Security Act. The matter is currently before the Court 22 on the parties’ briefs, which were submitted, without oral argument, to Magistrate Judge Stanley 23 A. Boone.1 24 Plaintiff suffers from lumbar degenerative disc disease, obesity, and right hip 25 degenerative joint disease. For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiff’s Social Security appeal 26 shall be granted. 27 II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND Plaintiff protectively filed an application for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits on December 1, 2015. (AR 104.) Plaintiff’s application was initially denied on April 22, 2016, and denied upon reconsideration on July 19, 2016. (AR 125-128, 132-136.) Plaintiff requested and received a hearing before Administrative Law Judge Sharon L. Madsen (“the ALJ”). Plaintiff appeared for a hearing on April 3, 2018. (AR 66-87.) On July…