(SS) Tuttle v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Sean P. Tuttle (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 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. 22, 23. After reviewing the record the Court 17 finds that substantial evidence and applicable law support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is 18 therefore denied.

II. Procedural Background

20 On June 13, 2016 Plaintiff applied for benefits alleging disability as of June 13, 2014 due 21 to left knee problems, depression and back problems. AR 133, 148. The Commissioner denied the 22 applications initially on November 16, 2016, and on reconsideration on March 23, 2017. AR 149– 23 52; 155–59. 24 Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the 25 “ALJ”) on June 26, 2019. AR 73–101. On August 9, 2019 the ALJ issued a decision denying 26 Plaintiff’s…