Stack

MEMORANDUM OPINION; ORDER THEREON

Plaintiff Jacqueline Stack (“Plaintiff’) filed a Complaint on May 14, 2003, seeking review of the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner”) denying her application for a period of disability and disability benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act (“Act”). Plaintiff seeks reversal of the Commissioner’s decision, or in the alternative, asks the Court to remand the matter for further administrative proceedings.

Plaintiffs application for disability benefits was filed on November 16, 1998 (Administrative Record [“AR”] 94-96), alleging an onset date of August 22, 1996. (AR 102.) She alleged a disabling condition of chronic severe depression and arthritis. (AR 102.) Her application was denied initially (AR 71-73), and she requested reconsideration (AR 74), which was also denied. (AR 74-76.) Plaintiff then requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge(“ALJ”) (AR 86), and filed an Appointment of Representative, designating Dennis H. Devermont, an attorney, as her representative. (AR 34.) The hearing was held in Pasadena, California on March 23, 2000. Plaintiff testified, as did a vocational expert (“VE”), Rheta…