(SS) Verreault v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

13 Plaintiff John Joseph Verreault (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 14 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his applications for 15 disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income pursuant to Titles II and XVI, 16 respectively, of the Social Security Act. The matter is before the Court on the parties’ briefs which 17 were submitted without oral argument to the United States Magistrate Judge. Docs. 16–18. After 18 reviewing the record the Court finds that substantial evidence and applicable law support the ALJ’s 19 decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore denied.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

21 On December 27, 2017 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits and supplemental 22 security income alleging a disability onset date of January 1, 2017 (which was subsequently 23 amended to November 1, 2013). The applications were denied initially on March 13, 2018 and on 24 reconsideration on July 25, 2018. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an 25 Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on April 1, 2020. AR 42–89. On July 16, 2020…