Copeland

MEMORANDUM **

Plaintiff-Appellant Harry R. Copeland appeals an order of the district court dismissing his civil action against DefendantAppellee Acting Commissioner of Social Security William A. Halter for denial of his Social Security disability benefits. Copeland had previously applied for benefits in 1990, and his claim was denied following a hearing before an administrative law judge (“ALJ”) on August 17,1991. At that time, Copeland claimed disability due to a back injury suffered beginning in July 1985 and continuing through the expiration of his insured status in 1991. The ALJ determined that Copeland was not disabled throughout the period covering the date of expiration for his disability insured status, December 31, 1990, and consequently denied him benefits. Copeland did not appeal that decision.

He then filed a second application for benefits on April 22,1994, claiming disability due to the same injury and from the same inception date. In his application, Copeland informed the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) that he had filed a previous application for benefits, and he provided the agency with his social security number. On July 7, 1994, Copeland received…