Verada Reynolds v. Nancy A. Berryhill

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION

17 18 On February 8, 2017, Plaintiff, formerly employed at attorneys’ 19 offices and an accounting office as a customer service administrator 20 (see AR 55-61, 242, 250-53), filed an application for Disability 21 Insurance Benefits alleging an inability to work because of a disabling 22 condition since January 1, 2015. (See AR 196-99). 23 24 On July 12, 2018, the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”), Daniel 25 Benjamin, heard testimony from Plaintiff (represented by counsel) and 26 vocational expert June Hagen. (See AR 38-85). On July 27, 2018, the ALJ 27 issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. (See AR 18-29). 28 Applying the five-step sequential process, the ALJ found at step one 1 that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since 2 January 1, 2015. (AR 20). At step two, the ALJ determined that 3 Plaintiff had the following severe impairments –- “degenerative disc 4 disease of the cervical spine; degenerative disc disease of the lumbar 5 spine with radiculopathy; and a history of right hand injury, trigger 6 finger with surgical release in 2015 and…