(SS) Gonzales v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Rosemary Gonzales (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for 14 disabled widow’s benefits and supplemental security income pursuant to Titles II and XVI, 15 respectively, of the Social Security Act. The matter is before the Court on the parties’ briefs which 16 were submitted without oral argument to the Honorable Gary S. Austin, United States Magistrate 17 Judge. See Docs. 17, 18, 20. After reviewing the record the Court finds that substantial evidence 18 and applicable law support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore denied.

II. Procedural Background

20 On August 13, 2015 Plaintiff filed an application for disabled widow’s benefits and 21 supplemental security income claiming disability beginning March 13, 2014 due to fibromyalgia, 22 constant pain, sciatic pain from hips to legs, bulging discs in lower back causing neck and back 23 pain, limited mobility, restricted range of motion, depression, anxiety, headaches and dizziness. 24 AR 298–306; 331–32. The Commissioner denied the application initially on…