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).
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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
HONORABLE SARA LIOI
CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
Case: 1:25-cv-00468-SL Doc #: 17 Filed: 03/18/26 2 of 2. PageID #: <pageID>