(SS) Miranda v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

11 Plaintiff Joanna Faye Miranda appeals the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security 12 denying her application for disability insurance benefits (DIB) and supplemental security income 13 (SSI) under Titles II and XVI, respectively, of the Social Security Act.1 14

II. Factual and Procedural Background

15 On April 8, 2019 Plaintiff applied for DIB and SSI alleging disability as of October 11, 16 2017. AR 14, 217–18. The applications were denied initially and on reconsideration. AR 63, 122. 17 The ALJ held a hearing on November 5, 2020. AR 33–62. On September 15, 2021 the ALJ issued 18 an unfavorable decision. AR 11–32. The Appeals Council denied review (AR 1-6) and this appeal 19 followed. 20

III. The Disability Standard

21 Under 42 U.S.C. §405(g), this court has the authority to review the Commissioner’s denial 22 of disability benefits. Reversal is appropriate when the ALJ’s findings are based on legal error or 23 unsupported by substantial evidence.” Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1097 (9th Cir. 1999). 24 Substantial evidence is that which could lead reasonable minds to accept a conclusion. See 25 Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389,…