(SS) Simmons, Jr. v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff John Joseph Simmons, Jr. (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of 13 the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his 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 United States 16 Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 17, 18. After reviewing the record the Court finds that substantial 17 evidence and applicable law support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore denied.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

19 On December 20, 2016 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits alleging disability 20 as of April 25, 2016. The Commissioner denied the application initially on March 10, 2017, and 21 on reconsideration on August 16, 2017. AR 144, 158. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held 22 before an Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on April 5, 2019. AR 29–83. On May 17, 2019 23 the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. AR 12–28. The Appeals Council denied 24 review on July 9, 2019. AR 1–6. …