(SS) Shank v. Commissioner Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Robert Clark Shank (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his application for 14 supplemental security income pursuant to Title XVI 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. Docs. 20, 23–24. 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 September 18, 2018 Plaintiff applied for supplemental security income. AR 323–33. 20 The Commissioner denied the application initially on January 31, 2019, and on reconsideration 21 April 24, 2019. AR 256–66. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an Administrative 22 Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on April 1, 2020. AR 143–77. On April 27, 2020 the ALJ issued a decision 23 denying Plaintiff’s application. AR 19–37. The Appeals Council denied review on September 28, 24 2020. AR 1–6. On November 19, 2020, Plaintiff…