Astrue
DE LOPEZ v. Astrue
Opinion
Opinion
Chapman, J.
OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Maria L. Ortiz de Lopez filed a complaint on September 11, 2007, seeking review of the Commissioner’s decision denying her application for disability benefits. The Commissioner answered the complaint on February 11, 2008, and the parties filed a joint stipulation on April 30, 2008.
BACKGROUND
I
On October 26, 2005 (protective filing date), plaintiff applied for disability benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act (“Act”), 42 U.S.C. § 423 , claiming an inability to work since April 12, 2005, due to high blood pressure and arthritis in her hands and knees. Certified Administrative Record (“A.R.”) 76-80. The plaintiffs application was initially denied on December 28, 2005, and was denied again on June 6, 2006, following reconsideration. A.R. 32-42. The plaintiff then requested an administrative hearing, which was held before Administrative Law Judge Joel B. Martinez (“the ALJ”) on December 11, 2006. A.R. 43, 254-85. On January 26, 2007, the ALJ issued a decision finding plaintiff is not disabled. A.R. 11-26. The plaintiff appealed this decision to the Appeals Council, which denied review on April 27, 2007. A.R. 7-10, 243-53.