ERIN L. WIEDEMANN, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff, Whitney Bartholomew, 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) benefits 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 April 1, 2015, and September 3, 2015, respectively, alleging an inability to work since June 1, 2014, due to agoraphobia, depression, anxiety and panic attacks. (Tr. 74, 156). An administrative hearing was held on March 22, 2016, at which Plaintiff appeared with counsel and testified. (Tr. 25-72).
By written decision dated September 27, 2016, the ALJ found that during the relevant time period, Plaintiff had an impairment or combination of impairments that were severe. (Tr. 16). Specifically, the ALJ found Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: major depressive disorder, anxiety and a panic disorder with agoraphobia. However, after reviewing all of the evidence presented, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff's impairments 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. 16). The ALJ found Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to:
(Tr. 17). With the help of a vocational expert, the ALJ determined Plaintiff could perform her past relevant work as a sealing machine operator as generally and actually performed. (Tr. 19).
Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council, which denied that request on September 11, 2017. (Tr. 1-5). Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. (Doc. 1). This case is before the undersigned pursuant to the consent of the parties. (Doc. 12). Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now ready for decision. (Docs. 19, 20).
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.