(SS) Harrell v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Daniel Lee Harrell (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his applications for 14 disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income pursuant to Titles II and XVI of the 15 Social Security Act. The matter is before the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted 16 without oral argument to the Honorable Gary S. Austin, United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 17 30–32. After reviewing the record the Court finds that substantial evidence and applicable law do 18 not support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore granted.

II. Procedural Background2

20 On November 21, 2016 Plaintiff applied for benefits alleging disability as of October 1, 21 2015 due to high blood pressure, anxiety and depression. AR 189. The Commissioner denied the 22 applications initially on April 14, 2017 and on reconsideration on June 1, 2017. AR 92, 119. 23 Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the 24 “ALJ”) on December 27, 2018. AR 28–60. On May 28, 2019 the ALJ issued a decision denying…