Opinion
CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:16-cv-00281
01-23-2017
BENJAMIN ALLEN THAXTON, Plaintiff, v. CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Before the Court is Plaintiff Benjamin Allen Thaxton's Complaint seeking review of the decision of the Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Carolyn W. Colvin ("Commissioner") (ECF No. 2). By Standing Order entered January 4, 2016, and filed in this case on January 14, 2016, this action was referred to United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl A. Eifert for submission of proposed findings and a recommendation ("PF&R"). Magistrate Judge Eifert filed her PF&R (ECF No. 14) on January 3, 2017, recommending that this Court affirm the final decision of the Commissioner and dismiss this matter from the Court's docket.
The Court is not required to review, under a de novo or any other standard, the factual or legal conclusions of the magistrate judge as to those portions of the findings or recommendation to which no objections are addressed. Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 150 (1985). Failure to file timely objections constitutes a waiver of de novo review and the Petitioner's right to appeal this Court's Order. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); see also Snyder v. Ridenour, 889 F.2d 1363, 1366 (4th Cir. 1989); United States v. Schronce, 727 F.2d 91, 94 (4th Cir. 1984). In addition, this Court need not conduct a de novo review when a party "makes general and conclusory objections that do not direct the Court to a specific error in the magistrate's proposed findings and recommendations." Orpiano v. Johnson, 687 F.2d 44, 47 (4th Cir. 1982). Objections to the PF&R were originally due on January 20, 2017. To date, no objections have been filed.
Accordingly, the Court ADOPTS the PF&R (ECF No. 14), DENIES Plaintiff's Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (ECF No. 10), GRANTS Defendant's Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (ECF No. 13), AFFIRMS the final decision of the Commissioner, DISMISSES the Complaint (ECF No. 2), and DIRECTS the Clerk to remove this case from the Court's docket.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
The Court DIRECTS the Clerk to send a copy of this Order to counsel of record and any unrepresented party.
ENTER: January 23, 2017
/s/_________
THOMAS E. JOHNSTON
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE