(SS) Gilbert v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Kathryn Gilbert (“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 United States 16 Magistrate Judge. Docs. 21, 26, 27. After reviewing the record the Court finds that substantial 17 evidence and applicable law support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore denied.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

19 On December 1, 2016 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits alleging a disability 20 onset date of August 6, 2015. The Commissioner denied the application initially on April 4, 2017 21 and on reconsideration on June 21, 2017. AR 88, 98. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held 22 before an Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on February 21, 2019. AR 38–86. On May 16, 23 2019 the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. AR 17–37. The Appeals Council 24 denied review on April 22, 2020. AR 6–11. …