Sylvia Denise James v. Commissioner of Social Security

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO EASTERN DIVISION

SYLVIA DENISE JAMES, ) CASE NO. 1:25-cv-468 ) ) Plaintiff, ) CHIEF JUDGE SARA LIOI ) vs. ) ) ORDER ) COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL ) SECURITY, ) ) ) Defendant. ) Plaintiff Sylvia Denise James’s claim for disability insurance benefits was denied by defendant Commissioner of Social Security (the “Commissioner”). (Doc. No. 1. (Complaint).)

James seeks review of that adverse decision. See 28 U.S.C. § 405(g). The Court referred the matter to Magistrate Judge Amanda M. Knapp for a report and recommendation. See Local Rules 72.2(b).

On January 26, 2026, Judge Knapp recommended that the Court vacate and remand the Commissioner’s decision. (Doc. No. 16 (Report and Recommendation).)

Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C), “[w]ithin fourteen days after being served with a copy [of a report and recommendation], any party may serve and file written objections to [the] proposed findings and recommendations as provided by rules of court.” That fourteen-day period expired on February 8, 2026, but the Commissioner has filed no objections. Failure to file written objections to a magistrate judge’s report and recommendation constitutes a waiver of a de novo determination by the district court of an issue covered in the report. Thomas v. Arn, 728 F.2d 813, 814–15 (6th Cir. 1984), aff’d, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); Newman v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., No. 5:22-cv- 1982, 2023 WL 7048737, at *1 (N.D. Ohio Oct. 26, 2023).

The Court has reviewed the magistrate judge’s report and recommendation and adopts the same. Accordingly, the Commissioner’s decision is VACATED and REMANDED, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) sentence four, for further proceedings consistent with the report and recommendation. (Doc. No. 16.) On remand, the ALJ should: consider the entire record; accurately discuss the evidence; clearly articulate the rationale for her Step Two and Four findings with regard to plaintiff's mental impairments; and ensure that her stated rationale builds an accurate and logical bridge between the evidence and the result.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 18, 2026 is a HONORABLE SARA LIOI CHIEF JUDGE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT