Arestakes Timourian v. Commissioner of Social Security

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION

4 5 On November 30, 2014, Plaintiff, formerly employed as a warehouse 6 supervisor for a marble and granite company (see AR 183-84, 647-49), 7 filed an application for Supplemental Security Income, alleging a 8 disability since April 19, 2013. (See AR 24, 115-21). Plaintiff’s 9 application was denied initially on June 17, 2015, and on 10 reconsideration on September 18, 2015. (See AR 53-63A, 77-81). 11 12 On January 5, 2018, the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”), Ken Chau, 13 heard testimony from Plaintiff, who was assisted by an Armenian 14 interpreter and represented by counsel, and vocational expert Gregory 15 Jones. (See AR 644-59). On February 7, 2018, the ALJ issued a decision 16 denying Plaintiff’s application. (See AR 14-27). Applying the five- 17 step sequential process,1 the ALJ found at step one that Plaintiff had 18 not engaged in substantial gainful activity since November 30, 2014. 19 (AR 17). At step two, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had the severe 20 impairment of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. (AR 17- 21 18).2 At step three, the…