(SS) Valero v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Nicholas Perez Valero (“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. 19, 20. 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. Factual and Procedural Background2

20 On September 30, 2016 Plaintiff applied for benefits alleging disability as of February 15, 21 2014 due to depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, low back pain, major depressive disorder, 22 and generalized anxiety disorder. AR 236. The Commissioner denied the applications initially on 23 April 24, 2017 and on reconsideration on July 17, 2017. AR 81, 92. 24 Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the 25 “ALJ”) on February 13, 2019. AR 38–80. On March…