Opinion
11-CV-890
2013-09-16
SUSAN ILENE ROSENBAUM, Plaintiff, v. CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
DECISION AND ORDER
The instant case involves the appeal of a final determination by the Commissioner of Social Security ("Commissioner" or "defendant") that plaintiff is not disabled and therefore not entitled to disability benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income Benefits. The action has been brought pursuant to Section 405(g) of Title 42 of the United States Code and was referred to Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott in accordance with Section 636(b)(1) of Title 28 of the United States Code.
Plaintiff's application for social security benefits was denied initially and on reconsideration. She then appeared before an administrative law judge who, after a de novo review of the record, found that plaintiff was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act. Plaintiff then commenced the present action, and both plaintiff and the Commissioner subsequently moved for judgment on the pleadings. (Dkt. Nos. 10 and 12)
Magistrate Judge Scott issued a Report and Recommendation recommending that defendant's motion for judgment on the pleadings be granted and that plaintiff's motion for the same relief be denied. (Dkt. No. 18) Specifically, the Magistrate recommended affirming the Commissioner's final determination that plaintiff was not disabled under the Social Security Act and dismissing plaintiff's complaint in its entirety. Id. Plaintiff filed objections to the Report and Recommendation and defendant filed a reply. (Dkt. Nos. 22 and 23) The Court considered the matter submitted.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §636(b)(1), this Court must make a de novo determination of those portions of the Report and Recommendation to which objections have been made. Upon de novo review, and after reviewing the parties' submissions, the Court hereby adopts Magistrate Judge Scott's recommendation to grant defendant's motion for judgment on the pleadings, deny plaintiff's motion for judgment on the pleadings and dismiss plaintiff's complaint.
In her response, the Commissioner argues that because plaintiff makes only "frivolous, conclusive, and general" objections, this Court should review the Report and Recommendation for clear error only. Dambrowski v. Astrue, 590 F. Supp.2d 579, 581 (SDNY 2008). However, the Court finds that plaintiff did specifically object to the Magistrate's assessment of her credibility, his conclusions regarding the expert testimony of Dr. Andrews, and his determinations regarding the severity of her impairments. Thus, the Court considers those portions of the Report and Recommendation in accordance with the de novo standard of review.
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Accordingly, for the reasons set forth in Magistrate Judge Scott's Report and Recommendation, defendant's motion for judgment on the pleadings is granted, plaintiff's motion for judgment on the pleadings in denied, and plaintiff's complaint is dismissed.
The Clerk of the Court is directed to close the case.
SO ORDERED.
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HONORABLE RICHARD J. ARCARA
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE