(SS) Raul Rangel v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

13 Plaintiff Raul Rangel (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 14 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his application for 15 disability insurance benefits pursuant to Title II of the Social Security Act. The matter is before 16 the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted without oral argument to the United States 17 Magistrate Judge. Docs. 21, 23. After reviewing the record the Court finds that substantial 18 evidence and applicable law do not support the ALJ’s decision.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

20 On December 17, 2016 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits alleging a 21 disability onset date of January 18, 2016. The Commissioner denied the application initially on 22 May 1, 2017 and on reconsideration on July 6, 2017. AR 132, 137. Plaintiff requested a hearing 23 which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on May 21, 2019. AR 58–96. 24 On July 29, 2019 the ALJ issued a partially favorable decision, which was amended on September 25 27, 2019 to correct the disability onset date. AR 35–56; 30-34. The Appeals…