Reported / Citable
Background
Gary F. Standish appealed the Commissioner of Social Security’s final administrative decision denying his applications for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income.
The Commissioner moved without opposition to reverse the decision and remand for further administrative proceedings. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell recommended granting that motion. No party filed written objections to the recommendation.
The Court’s Holding
District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle adopted the magistrate judge’s report and recommendation. Because no objections were filed, the court reviewed the findings for clear error or abuse of discretion and the legal conclusions for whether they were contrary to law.
Finding no clear error, abuse of discretion, or legal conclusion contrary to law, the court granted the Commissioner’s motion. It reversed the Commissioner’s final administrative decision and remanded the matter to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
Key Takeaways
- The court granted the Commissioner’s unopposed request for reversal and remand.
- The denial of disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income was reversed.
- The remand was ordered under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for further administrative proceedings.
Why It Matters
The order returns Standish’s benefits claims to the Social Security Administration for additional administrative consideration rather than resolving eligibility itself. It also illustrates the district court’s limited review of an unobjected-to magistrate judge recommendation.