Donald R. Earl v. Nancy A. Berryhill

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION

18 19 On February 6, 2014, Plaintiff, formerly employed as a construction 20 worker (see AR 118, 397), filed an application for Supplemental Security 21 Income, alleging a disability since January 1, 2013. (See AR 93-99).2 22 Plaintiff’s application was denied initially on July 25, 2014 and on 23 reconsideration on February 19, 2015. (See AR 31-34, 36-40). 24 25 On February 16, 2017, the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”), Troy 26 Silva, heard testimony from Plaintiff (represented by counsel) and 27 28 2 The ALJ mistakenly stated, at the hearing and in the Decision, that the application date was February 19, 2014. (See AR 15, 17, 23, 387). 1 vocational expert (“VE”) Kristan Cicero. (See AR 385-403). On April 2 18, 2017, the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. 3 (See AR 15-23). Applying the five-step sequential process, the ALJ 4 found at step one that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful 5 activity since February 19, 2014. (AR 17). At step two, the ALJ 6 determined that Plaintiff had the following severe impairments –- 7 “degenerative disc disease of…