(SS) Ramirez v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Christy Ramirez (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her applications 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. 17, 20, 21. 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 August 3, 2016 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits and supplemental 21 security income alleging disability as of June 1, 2016 due to diabetes, high blood pressure and 22 stroke. AR 163–175, 194. The Commissioner denied the applications initially on January 11, 2017, 23 and on reconsideration March 27, 2017. AR 90–94; 101–105. 24 Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the 25 “ALJ”) on…