Cirelli v. Commissioner of Social Security

Background

Christopher Cirelli brought this action under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), which permits judicial review of a Social Security benefits decision. He challenged the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of his application for disability insurance benefits. The parties filed cross-motions for judgment on the pleadings under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c), asking the court to decide the case based on the pleadings.

Report and Recommendation

On May 7, 2020, Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron issued a Report and Recommendation. It recommended that Cirelli’s motion be granted in part and denied in part, that the Commissioner’s motion be denied in its entirety, that the Commissioner’s decision be vacated, and that the case be remanded for further proceedings. The parties had fourteen days to file written objections, but neither party filed an objection.

Court’s Review and Ruling

Because no objections were filed, the district court could adopt the uncontested portions of the recommendation unless clear error appeared. The court reviewed the Report and Recommendation, found no error, and adopted Judge Aaron’s recommendations in their entirety.

The court granted in part and denied in part Cirelli’s motion for judgment on the pleadings; denied the Commissioner’s motion for judgment on the pleadings; vacated the Commissioner’s decision; and remanded the case for further proceedings. The Clerk was directed to terminate the motions and close the case.