Boughter v. Commissioner of Social Security, No. 1:2016cv00733 - Document 18 (N.D. Ohio 2017)
Court Description: Opinion & Order signed by Judge James S. Gwin on 1/10/17. The Court adopts Magistrate Judge Greenberg's findings of fact and conclusions of law and incorporates them fully herein by reference. The Court vacates the Commissioner's denial of benefits and remands this case to the Administrative Law Judge for further proceedings. (Related Docs. 1 and 16 ) (D,MA)
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Boughter v. Commissioner of Social Security Doc. 18 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO -----------------------------------------------------BRENDA BOUGHTER, Plaintiff, vs. CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security Defendant. : : : : : : : : : : : : CASE NO. 1:16-CV-733 OPINION & ORDER [Resolving Doc. 1] -----------------------------------------------------JAMES S. GWIN, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE: On July 24, 2012, Plaintiff Brenda Boughter applied for Period of Disability and Disability Insurance Benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act.1 After her application was denied, Boughter requested that an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) evaluate her application.2 On August 12, 2014, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff Boughter was not disabled within the meanings of the Social Security Act.3 The Appeals Council denied Boughter’s request for review.4 On March 24, 2016, Plaintiff Boughter filed this complaint for wrongful denial of disability insurance benefits.5 Consistent with Local Rule 72.2, the Court referred the matter to Magistrate Judge Jonathan D. Greenberg. On December 12, 2016, Magistrate Judge Greenberg issued a Report and Recommendation, finding the ALJ’s determination was not supported by 1 Doc. 9 at 23; see 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i), 423 et seq. Id. at 114-22. 3 Id. at 23-35. 4 Id. at 1-6. 5 Doc. 1. 2 Dockets.Justia.com Case No. 1:16-CV-733 Gwin, J. substantial evidence and recommending that this Court vacate the Commissioner’s denial of disability benefits and remand the case back to the ALJ for further proceedings.6 Specifically, Magistrate Judge Greenberg found that the ALJ failed to set forth “good reasons” for discounting the opinion of Boughter’s treating physician in favor of opinions from non-treating physicians.7 On December 27, 2016, the Social Security Commissioner filed notice that the Social Security Commissioner would not object to Magistrate Judge Greenberg’s report and recommendation. The Federal Magistrates Act requires a district court to conduct a de novo review only of those portions of a Report and Recommendation to which the parties have made an objection.8 The Commissioner of Social Security declined to file any objections in this case.9 Absent objection, a district court may adopt the magistrate judge’s report without review.10 Moreover, having conducted its own review of the parties’ briefs in this case, the Court agrees with the conclusions of Magistrate Judge Greenberg. Accordingly, the Court ADOPTS in whole Magistrate Judge Greenberg’s findings of fact and conclusions of law and incorporates them fully herein by reference. The Court thus VACATES the Commissioner’s denial of benefits and REMANDS this case to the Administrative Law Judge for further proceedings. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: January 10, 2017 s/ James S. Gwin JAMES S. GWIN UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 6 Doc. 16. Id. at 33-41. 8 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C). 9 Doc. 17. 10 Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 149 (1985). 7 -2-
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