(SS) Borges v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Kathy Borges (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her 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. 21, 22. 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 January 24, 2018 Plaintiff applied for benefits alleging disability as of December 15, 21 2016 due to PTSD, bipolar, hepatitis C, history of drug use, coronary heart disease, brain tumors, 22 hypertension, anxiety and seizures. AR 216. The Commissioner denied the applications initially 23 on June 4, 2018 and on reconsideration on September 6, 2018. AR 81, 118. 24 Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the 25 “ALJ”) on April 15, 2020. AR 32–63. On…