Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-4_11-cv-00784/USCOURTS-azd-4_11-cv-00784-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 863
Nature of Suit: Social Security - DIWC/DIWW (405(g))
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Michael Alan McKenzie, 

Plaintiff, 

v.

Carolyn W. Colvin,1

 Acting 

Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

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No. CV 11-784-TUC-FRZ (JR)

 ORDER

Plaintiff Michael Alan McKenzie filed this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) of the

Social Security Act for judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner of the Social

Security Administration, denying his application for Social Security disability insurance

benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401-433. Plaintiff’s appeal

raises four issues challenging the denial of benefits. 

This matter was referred to the United States Magistrate Judge for all pretrial

proceedings and report and recommendation in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. §

636(b)(1) and LRCiv 72.1 and LRCiv 72.2, Rules of Practice of the United States District Court

for the District of Arizona.

On July 25, 2013, Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. Rateau issued her Report and

Recommendation, recommending that the District Court, after its independent review of the

 

1. Carolyn W. Colvin became the Acting Commissioner of Social Security on February 14,

2013. Pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Carolyn W. Colvin

should be substituted for Michael J. Astrue as the defendant in this suit.

Case 4:11-cv-00784-FRZ-JR Document 19 Filed 08/30/13 Page 1 of 2
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 record herein, remand this case to the Administrative Law Judge for further proceedings. The

Report and Recommendation provides a thorough factual background and medical history and

an in-depth legal analysis of the claims under the applicable legal standards, carefully

considering the evidence presented at the administrative level and the findings of the ALJ. 

The Magistrate Judge specifically recommends that, “[o]n remand, the ALJ must

reevaluate Dr. Rau’s non-exertional limitations and, in light of that reevaluation, determine

whether the testimony of a [vocational expert] is required” and “if the ALJ rejects the lay

witness statements of Plaintiff’s family members, he must provide proper and germane reasons

for doing so.”

The Report and Recommendation advised the parties that they may file written

objections within fourteen (14) days from the date of service of a copy of the Report and

Recommendation. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Rules 72(b) of Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure. No objections were filed. 

The Court finds, after consideration of all matters presented and an independent review

of the record herein, that the findings of the Magistrate Judge as set forth in the Report and

Recommendation, shall be accepted and adopted as the findings of fact and conclusions of law

of this Court. Accordingly, 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Magistrate Judge Rateau’s Report and

Recommendation (Doc. 18) is ACCEPTED and ADOPTED as the findings of fact and

conclusions of law by this Court;

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s claim for benefits is REMANDED to the

Commissioner of the Social Security Administration for further proceedings in accordance with

the Report and Recommendation;

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that judgment be entered accordingly.

DATED this 29th day of August, 2013.

Case 4:11-cv-00784-FRZ-JR Document 19 Filed 08/30/13 Page 2 of 2