ERIN L. WIEDEMANN, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff, Connie Lynn Eiland, brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review of a decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (Commissioner) denying her claims for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits (DIB) and supplemental security income (SSI) under the provisions of Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (Act). In this judicial review, the Court must determine whether there is substantial evidence in the administrative record to support the Commissioner's decision.
Plaintiff protectively filed her current applications for DIB and SSI on June 23, 2014, and February 5, 2015, respectively, alleging an inability to work since March 19, 2014, due to depression, fibromyalgia, headaches, and fatigue. (Tr. 94, 105,). For DIB purposes, Plaintiff maintained insured status through December 31, 2017. (Tr. 94, 105,). An administrative hearing was held on June 24, 2015, and a supplemental hearing was held on August 23, 2016. (Tr. 40-65, 66-92). At both hearings, Plaintiff and a vocational expert testified. (Tr. 191-220).
By written decision dated October 19, 2016, the ALJ found that during the relevant time period, Plaintiff had severe impairments of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bulging discs at L4-5 and L5-S1 status post epidural steroid injection, fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety. (Tr. 13). However, after reviewing all of the evidence presented, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff's impairment did not meet or equal the level of severity of any impairment listed in the Listing of Impairments found in Appendix I, Subpart P, Regulation No. 4. (Tr. 13). The ALJ found that Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform light work as defined in 20 CFR §§ 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b), except that she was able to perform work with simple tasks and simple instructions and could only have incidental contact with the public. (Tr. 14). With the help of a vocational expert (VE), the ALJ determined that although Plaintiff was unable to perform her past relevant work as a pathology technician, there were jobs that existed in significant numbers in the national economy that Plaintiff could perform, such as a marking clerk, shelving clerk, and a routing clerk. (Tr. 25). The ALJ concluded that the Plaintiff had not been under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, from March 19, 2014, through the date of the decision. (Tr. 25).
Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council, but the request was denied on October 30, 2017. (Tr. 1-6). Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. (Doc. 1). This case is before the undersigned pursuant to the consent of the parties. (Doc. 7). Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now ready for decision. (Docs. 14, 15).
This Court's role is to determine whether the Commissioner's findings are supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole.
The Court has reviewed the entire transcript and the parties' briefs. For the reasons stated in the ALJ's well-reasoned opinion and the Government's brief, the Court finds Plaintiff's arguments on appeal to be without merit and finds that the record as a whole reflects substantial evidence to support the ALJ's decision. Accordingly, the ALJ's decision is hereby summarily affirmed and Plaintiff's Complaint is dismissed with prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED AND ADJUDGED.