(SS) Juanita Jones v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Juanita Jones (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for 14 disability insurance benefits pursuant to Title II 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, 23. After reviewing the record the 17 Court finds that substantial evidence and applicable law do not support the ALJ’s decision. 18 Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore granted.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

20 On August 26, 2015 Plaintiff applied for benefits alleging disability as of July 4, 2014. AR 21 170–71. The Commissioner denied the applications initially on October 14, 2015 and on 22 reconsideration on January 25, 2016. AR 78–86; 88–96. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was 23 held before an Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on June 12, 2017. AR 58–77. On November 24 16, 2017 the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. AR 15–29. The Appeals…