(SS) Lamb v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Nicholas Michael Lamb (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of 13 the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his applications 14 for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income pursuant to Titles II and XVI, 15 respectively, of the Social Security Act. The matter is before the Court on the parties’ briefs which 16 were submitted without oral argument to the United States Magistrate Judge. Docs. 20, 23, 24. 17 After reviewing the record, the Court finds that substantial evidence and applicable law support the 18 ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore denied.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

20 On February 24, 2017 and June 21, 2018 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits 21 and supplemental security income, respectively. In both applications he alleged a disability onset 22 date of April 12, 1999. AR 19, 171. The Commissioner denied the application initially on June 23 28, 2017 and on reconsideration on September 10, 2018. AR 77, 94. Plaintiff requested a hearing 24 which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on January…