(SS) Rubio v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Maria Consuelo Rubio (“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. 18, 19, 20. After reviewing the record the Court finds that substantial evidence 18 and applicable law support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore denied.

II. Procedural Background

20 On September 21, 2016 Plaintiff applied for benefits alleging disability as of November 6, 21 2014 due to carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical and lumbar disc problems, and nerve damage in her 22 hands. AR 393. The Commissioner denied the applications initially on March 10, 2017, and on 23 reconsideration on June 23, 2017. AR 200, 230. 24 Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the 25 “ALJ”) on March 27, 2019. …