Opinion
Case No. 1:18-cv-1462
06-20-2019
CYNTHIA A. RINI, Plaintiff, v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant.
OPINION & ORDER
[Resolving Doc. 16] :
Suffering from anxiety, depression, and other ailments, Plaintiff Cynthia Rini applied for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration denied that application initially, and on reconsideration. After a hearing, an administrative law judge ("ALJ") also denied Rini's claims. The Social Security Appeals Council declined to review the ALJ's decision, making it a "final agency action."
Doc. 11 at 15, 48-49.
Id. at 104-05, 130-31.
Id.
Id. at 5-7.
Casey v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 987 F.2d 1230, 1233 (6th Cir. 1993).
Rini seeks judicial review, primarily arguing that the ALJ improperly disregarded her treating physician's conclusion that she was disabled. Magistrate Judge Burke issued a report and recommendation ("R&R") recommending that the Court affirm the ALJ's decision. Neither party objects to that recommendation.
Doc. 1; Doc. 12.
Doc. 16.
Doc. 17.
The Federal Magistrates Act requires the Court to review only objected-to portions of an R&R. Because the parties do not object, the Court adopts Judge Burke's R&R.
Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 145 (1985); 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).
Further, the Court agrees with Judge Burke's conclusions. The Court may only reverse an ALJ's decision if he failed to apply the proper legal standards or his conclusions lacked substantial evidence.
E.g., Blakely v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 581 F.3d 399, 405 (6th Cir. 2009). --------
Here, as Judge Burke describes, substantial evidence supported the ALJ's conclusions. Rini's life activities and limited treatment record undercut the treating physician's opinion, and that opinion conflicted with the state examiners' conclusions.
Thus, the Court ADOPTS the Magistrate Judge's R&R and AFFIRMS the ALJ's November 2017 decision.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: June 20, 2019
s/ James S . Gwin
JAMES S. GWIN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE