(SS) Gunter v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. INTRODUCTION

20 Plaintiff Heather Elizabeth Gunter (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (the “Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) under Title XVI of the Social Security Act (the “Act”), 42 U.S.C. § 1383(c). (Doc. 1.) The matter is currently before the Court on the parties’ briefs, which were submitted, without oral argument, to the Honorable Sheila K. Oberto, United States Magistrate Judge.1 /// 28 II. BACKGROUND Plaintiff protectively filed her SSI application on July 8, 2016, alleging disability as of June 30, 2016, due to bipolar disorder with stress and anxiety. (Administrative Record (“AR”) 31, 64, 65, 72, 73, 83, 172, 176, 203, 205.) Plaintiff was born on August 11, 1988, has a high school education, and previously worked as a certified nursing assistant. (AR 31, 37, 47, 64, 72, 172, 203, 205.) A. Relevant Evidence of Record2 1. Medical Evidence In June 2016, Plaintiff presented for mental health evaluation and treatment. (AR 235–37.) 10 …