(SS) Michelle Garrett v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Michelle Garrett (“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. 22, 26. 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 March 3, 2017 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits alleging a disability 20 onset date of June 30, 2016. The Commissioner denied the application initially on May 31, 2017 21 and on reconsideration on August 24, 2017. AR 118, 123. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was 22 held before an Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on September 16, 2019. AR 35–77. On 23 October 1, 2019 the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. AR 12–34. The Appeals 24 Council denied review on June 24, 2020. AR 1–6. On…