(SS) Rodriguez v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Arthur Anthony Rodriguez (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of 13 the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his application for 14 supplemental security income pursuant to Title XVI of the Social Security Act. The matter is before 15 the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted without oral argument to the Honorable Gary 16 S. Austin, United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 19, 20, 21. After reviewing the record the 17 Court finds that substantial evidence and applicable law support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s 18 appeal is therefore denied.

II. Procedural Background

20 On December 15, 2016 Plaintiff filed an application for supplemental security income 21 claiming disability due to diabetes, liver disease, depression and lower back pain. AR 398. The 22 Commissioner denied the application initially on March 17, 2017, and on reconsideration on April 23 27, 2017. AR 190–203; 204–216. 24 Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the 25 “ALJ”) on October 25, 2018. AR 111–146. On December 28, 2018 the ALJ issued a decision 26…