ERIN L. WIEDEMANN, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff, Melissa K. Scott, 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 May 23, 2015, alleging an inability to work since June 19, 2008,
By written decision dated September 12, 2016, the ALJ found Plaintiff was not disabled prior to February 12, 2014, but that Plaintiff became disabled on February 12, 2014, and remained disabled through the date of the decision. (Tr. 18-27). Specifically, the ALJ found that since October 9, 2013, Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: migraines, fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety. (Tr. 20). The ALJ found that beginning on the established onset date of disability, February 12, 2014, Plaintiff had the additional severe impairments: chronic fatigue syndrome, vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, major depressive disorder and social anxiety disorder. (Tr. 20). After reviewing all of the evidence presented, the ALJ determined that since October 9, 2013, 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. 21). The ALJ found that prior to February 12, 2014, the date Plaintiff became disabled, Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to:
(Tr. 22). The ALJ found that beginning on February 12, 2014, Plaintiff maintained the RFC to:
(Tr. 25). With the help of a vocational expert, the ALJ found that prior to February 12, 2014, Plaintiff was capable of performing her past relevant work as a telephone sales rep or customer service rep. (Tr. 25). The ALJ found that as of February 12, 2014, there are no jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy that Plaintiff can perform. (Tr. 26).
Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council, which denied that request on December 18, 2017. (Tr. 1-4). Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. (Doc. 1). This case is before the undersigned pursuant to the consent of the parties. (Doc. 5). Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now ready for decision. (Docs. 12, 13).
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.