(SS) Brunson v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Laura Brunson (“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.1 Docs. 16, 18, 19. 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. 18

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

19 On November 29, 2018 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits alleging a 20 disability onset date of October 30, 2017. The Commissioner denied the application initially on 21 June 4, 2019 and on reconsideration on July 2, 2019. A hearing was held before an Administrative 22 Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on September 28, 2020. AR 130–159. On October 27, 2020 the ALJ issued 23 a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. AR 16–29. The Appeals Council denied review on June 24 11, 2021. AR 1–7. On July 12,…