(SS) Cox v. Commissioner of Social Security

INTRODUCTION

18 Tonya Jean Cox (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner 19 of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for disability benefits 20 pursuant to the Social Security Act. The matter is currently before the Court on the parties’ briefs, 21 which were submitted, without oral argument, to Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone.1 22 Plaintiff requests the decision of the Commissioner be vacated and the case be remanded for 23 further proceedings, arguing (1) the Step 5 determination is not supported by substantial evidence; (1) 24 there are discrepancies between the opinion evidence found to be persuasive and the residual functional 25 capacity assessment; and (3) the ALJ failed to offer any reason to reject Plaintiff’s symptom complaints. 26 For the reasons explained herein, Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment shall be denied. 27 1 The parties have consented to the jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge and this action has been assigned II. BACKGROUND A. Procedural History Plaintiff protectively filed an application…