Karen Dexter v. Carolyn W. Colvin

OPINION

NGUYEN, Circuit Judge:

Ten years ago, Karen Dexter first applied for social security disability insurance benefits. After benefits were denied, Dexter requested a hearing. The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) ruled her request untimely, and denied a subsequent application on the ground of res judicata, but it has never explained why it rejected Dexter’s facially valid excuse for the delay in her hearing request. Dexter then sought review in federal district court, which dismissed her action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Because the administrative law judge (“ALJ”)…