(SS) Vera v. Commissioner of Social Security

INTRODUCTION

17 Kathleen Sue Vera (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 18 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for 19 disability benefits pursuant to the Social Security Act. The matter is currently before the Court 20 on the parties’ briefs, which were submitted, without oral argument, to Magistrate Judge Stanley 21 A. Boone.1 22 Plaintiff suffers from lumbar and cervical degenerative disc disease and headaches. For 23 the reasons set forth below, Plaintiff’s Social Security appeal shall be denied.

II.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

26 Plaintiff protectively filed an application for a period of disability and disability insurance 27 benefits on February 5, 2015. (AR 70.) Plaintiff’s application was initially denied on August 26, 2015, and denied upon reconsideration on October 27, 2015. (AR 72-75, 79-83.) Plaintiff requested and received a hearing before Administrative Law Judge Joyce Frost-Wolf (“the ALJ”). Plaintiff appeared for a hearing on July 13, 2017. (AR 29-57.) On November 17, 2017, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was not disabled. (AR 10-23.)…