(SS) Pieper v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Tracy Jean Pieper (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for 14 disability insurance benefits pursuant to Title II of the Social Security Act. The matter is before 15 the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted without oral argument to the Honorable Gary 16 S. Austin, United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 18, 19, 20. After reviewing the record the 17 Court finds that substantial evidence and applicable law support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s 18 appeal is therefore denied.

II. Procedural Background

20 On November 7, 2016 Plaintiff applied for benefits alleging disability as of August 1, 2006 21 due to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, major depressive disorder, restless limbs, 22 stuttering, back pain and stomach issues. AR 179. The Commissioner denied the application 23 initially on February 17, 2017, and on reconsideration on May 30, 2017. AR 99; 108. 24 Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the 25 “ALJ”) on February 28, 2019. AR 36–70. On April…