(SS) Jones v. Commissioner of Social Security
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
I. Introduction
12 Plaintiff Randy Scott Jones (“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, 15 respectively, of the Social Security Act. The matter is before the Court on the parties’ briefs 16 which were submitted without oral argument to the Honorable Gary S. Austin, United States 17 Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 23, 27, 28. After reviewing the record the Court finds that 18 substantial evidence and applicable law support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore 19 denied.
II. Factual and Procedural Background2
21 On December 19, 2016 Plaintiff applied for benefits alleging disability as of July 4, 2015 22 due to PTSD, sciatica, history of heart attack, degenerative disc disease, COPD, and hearing loss. 23 AR 77. The Commissioner denied the applications initially on April 27, 2017 and on 24 reconsideration on July 14, 2017. AR 92, 155. 25 Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the