(SS) Encinas v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Julio C. Encinas (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his application for 14 disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income pursuant to Titles II and XVI, 15 respectively, of the Social Security Act. The matter is before the Court on the parties’ briefs which 16 were submitted without oral argument to the Honorable Gary S. Austin, United States Magistrate 17 Judge. See Docs. 26, 30, 31. After reviewing the record the Court finds that substantial evidence 18 and applicable law do not support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore granted.

II. Procedural Background

20 On March 19, 2015 Plaintiff filed applications for disability insurance benefits and 21 supplemental security income claiming disability beginning December 1, 2013 due to major 22 depression, panic disorder with agoraphobia, arthritis, bipolar disorder, “hand skin condition” and 23 diabetes. AR 317–29, 358. The Commissioner denied the application initially on June 24, 2015, 24 and on reconsideration on January 13, 2016. AR 255–62,…