(SS) Lupe De Los Santos v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Anthony Lupe de los Santos (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision 13 of the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his application 14 for 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. 22–23. 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 July 27, 2018 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits alleging disability as of 20 July 23, 2018. The Commissioner denied the application initially on June 5, 2019, and on 21 reconsideration on September 20, 2019. AR 92, 99. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held 22 before an Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on February 4, 2020. AR 29–59. On April 1, 23 2020 the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. AR 12–28. The Appeals Council 24 denied review on May 21, 2020. AR 1–6. On…