Candice Chavez v. Nancy A. Berryhill

I. BACKGROUND

22 On February 9, 2015, Plaintiff applied for Supplemental Security Income. 23 (Administrative Record (“AR”) 243-251.) On August 28, 2015, Plaintiff applied for 24 Social Security Child Insurance Benefits, alleging disability since January 1, 1990. 25

1 Plaintiff’s name has been partially redacted in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 27 5.2(c)(2)(B) and the recommendation of the Committee on Court Administration and Case (AR 252-255.) After an initial denial of the applications on July 8, 2015, Plaintiff filed a written request for hearing on September 3, 2015. (AR 125-129, 134-136). Only Plaintiff’s sister was able to testify on the date initially set for the hearing (August 17, 2017) because Plaintiff needed time to find new representation. On December 14, 2017, Plaintiff and her new attorney appeared before the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). (AR 38-77.) This hearing also included the testimony of a vocational expert (“VE”) and a medical expert (“ME”). The ALJ issued a partially favorable decision. (AR 12-37.) The ALJ foundthat Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: mild degenerative…