Bonner
Bonner v. Astrue
Opinion
Opinion
Chapman, J.
OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Claude Bonner, Jr., filed a complaint on February 9, 2009, seeking review of the Commissioner’s decision denying his application for disability benefits. On June 30, 2009, the Commissioner answered the complaint, and on August 13, 2009, the parties filed a joint stipulation.
BACKGROUND
On September 20, 2006, plaintiff, who was born on April 21, 1967, applied for disability benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) program of Title XVI of the Social Security Act (“Act”), claiming an inability to work since March 1, 2004, due to depression, hearing voices, and suicide attempts. Certified Administrative Record (“A.R.”) 111-13, 375-77. The plaintiffs application was initially denied on February 27, 2007, and was denied again on May 23, 2007, following reconsideration. A.R. 46-52, 56-60. The plaintiff then requested an administrative hearing, which was held before Administrative Law Judge Mason D. Harrell, Jr. (“the ALJ”) on July 1, 2008. A.R. 18-43, 63. On August 14, 2008, the ALJ issued a decision finding plaintiff is not disabled. A.R. 4-17. The plaintiff appealed the decision to the Appeals Council, which denied review on December 8,…