(SS) Garza v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Minerva Garza appeals the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security 13 denying her application for disability insurance benefits (DIB) under Title II of the Social Security 14 Act.

II. Factual and Procedural Background1

16 On June 4, 2015 Plaintiff applied for DIB alleging disability as of June 1, 2014. The 17 applications were denied initially and on reconsideration. AR 105-109; 112-116. After two 18 continuances the ALJ held a hearing on April 15, 2020. AR 42–65. On April 24, 2020, the ALJ 19 issued an unfavorable decision. AR 18–41. The Appeals Council denied review on September 24, 20 2020, and this appeal followed.

III. The Disability Standard

22 Under 42 U.S.C. §405(g), this court has the authority to review the Commissioner’s denial 23 of disability benefits. Reversal is appropriate when the ALJ’s findings are based on legal error or 24 unsupported by substantial evidence.” Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1097 (9th Cir. 1999). 25 Substantial evidence is that which could lead reasonable minds to accept a conclusion. See

1 The parties are well informed as to the medical, opinion and testimonial evidence,…