Calsadillas

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

Plaintiff has filed a complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 405 (g) seeking review of the decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (Commissioner) denying her application for disability insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. Defendant has answered and the parties have filed cross-motions for summary judgment. For the reasons discussed below, the Commissioner’s decision will be affirmed.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiff filed an application for disability insurance benefits in May 1992, claiming to have been disabled since December 31, 1988, due to right hand problems, chronic low back and right leg pain, and shortness of breath. (Administrative Record (A.R.) 151, 155, 171.) Her application was denied initially, upon reconsideration, and after a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) on December 14, 1993. (A.R.151-161, 287-293.) Plaintiffs request for review of that decision was granted, and the Appeals Council remanded the matter for a supplemental hearing, which was conducted before the same ALJ on May 16, 1995. (A.R.87, 294-300.) Plaintiff was represented by counsel at that hearing (and the initial hearing) and…