(SS) Barney v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Victoria Lynn Barney (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for 14 supplemental security income pursuant to Title XVI of the Social Security Act. The matter is before 15 the Court on the parties’ briefs. Docs. 16, 17. After reviewing the record the Court finds that 16 substantial evidence and applicable law support the ALJ’s decision that Plaintiff was not disabled.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

18 On June 21, 2017 Plaintiff applied for supplemental security income. The Commissioner 19 denied the application initially on July 27, 2017 and on reconsideration on November 30, 2017. A 20 hearing was held before an Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on August 31, 2018. On 21 December 13, 2018 the ALJ issued an unfavorable decision. AR 17–29. The Appeals Council 22 denied review on December 4, 2019. AR 1–6. Contemporaneously, Plaintiff filed a subsequent 23 application for supplemental security income on February 10, 2020 which the agency granted. AR 24 403. 25 Plaintiff filed a complaint in this Court appealing…