Sierra Rayne Franklin v. Kilolo Kijakazi

INTRODUCTION

In 2016, Sierra F. (“Plaintiff”) applied for Supplemental Security Income, alleging disability beginning April 1, 2009. See Dkt. 16, Administrative Record (“AR”) 222-31.1 After the claim was denied initially and on reconsideration, Plaintiff requested and received a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). See AR 52-104.

1 The Court partially redacts Plaintiff’s name in compliance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2(c)(2)(B) and the recommendation of the Committee on Court Administration and Case Management of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Additionally, all citations to the AR are to the record pagination. All other docket citations are to the CM/ECF pagination. The ALJ denied Plaintiffs claim by written decision on May 1, 2019. See AR 35-47. The ALJ followed the five-step sequential evaluation process for determining whether an individual is disabled. At step one, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since her application date. See AR 37. At step two, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had the severe impairments of “fibromyalgia; obesity; lumbar strain; anxiety; major depression; and marijuana…