(SS) Wojtowicz v. Commissioner of Social Security

BACKGROUND

23 In August 2016, Plaintiff filed an application for benefits, asserting disability due to a wrist 24 injury, shoulder injury, and hip arthritis. (See Doc. 12-4 at 2; see Doc. 12-3 at 16) The Social Security 25 Administration denied the application at the initial level and upon reconsideration. (See Doc. 12-4) 26 Plaintiff requested an administrative hearing on the application and testified before an ALJ on April 25, 27 2018. (See Doc. 12-3 at 16, 33) The ALJ found Plaintiff was not disabled and issued an order denying 28 benefits on September 26, 2018. (Doc. 12-3 at 16-27) Plaintiff requested review by the Appeals Council, which denied the request on June 15, 2019. (Id. at 2-5) Therefore, the ALJ’s determination became the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security. STANDARD OF REVIEW District courts have a limited scope of judicial review for disability claims after a decision by the Commissioner to deny benefits under the Social Security Act. When reviewing findings of fact, such as whether a claimant was disabled, the Court must determine whether the Commissioner’s decision is supported by…