Kirk E. Latham, Jr. v. Commissioner of Social Security

BACKGROUND

23 In October and November 2015, Plaintiff applied for disability insurance 24 benefits and supplemental security income. In both applications, Plaintiff alleged 25 26 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 28 Management of the Judicial Conference of the United States. 1 disability beginning October 4, 2013. Plaintiff’s applications were denied initially 2 and upon reconsideration. (Administrative Record [“AR”] 76-95, 98-117, 221-240.) 3 A hearing took place on June 14, 2018 before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). 4 After confirming that he desired to do so, Plaintiff proceeded without representation. 5 Plaintiff, a medical expert, and a vocational expert (“VE”) all testified at the hearing. 6 (AR 43-58.) 7 In a decision dated July 26, 2018, the ALJ found that Plaintiff suffered from 8 the following severe impairments: diabetes mellitus with retinopathy,with injections, 9 and with cataract surgery bilaterally; status post mitral valve replacement; chronic 10 kidney disease stage 3; chronic…