(SS) Keovilai v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Alex Keovilai (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his applications for 14 disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income pursuant to Titles II and XVI of the 15 Social Security Act. The matter is before the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted 16 without oral argument to the United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 18, 21. After reviewing 17 the record the Court finds that substantial evidence and applicable law support the ALJ’s decision. 18 Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore denied.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

20 On September 26, 2016 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits alleging disability 21 as of October 31, 2008. The Commissioner denied the application initially on December 15, 2016 22 and on reconsideration on March 8, 2017. AR 133, 144. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was 23 held before an Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on December 4, 2018. AR 46–80. On March 24 15, 2019, the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. AR 24–40. The Appeals…