(SS) Gegan v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Maryam Salam Gegan (“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. 19, 23. The Court finds that substantial evidence and applicable law 17 support the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore Denied.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

19 On February 14, 2020 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits alleging a disability 20 onset date of June 15, 2017. The Commissioner denied the applications initially on April 24, 2020 21 and on reconsideration on July 14, 2020. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an 22 Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on April 6, 2021. AR 32–53. On April 30, 2021 the ALJ 23 issued an unfavorable decision. AR 13–31. The Appeals Council denied review on October 28, 24 2021. AR 1–6. On December 31, 2021, Plaintiff filed a complaint in this…