Maurer v. Commissioner of the Social Security

Background

Katie Ann Maurer sought judicial review under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) of the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security. The Commissioner had partially denied Maurer’s application for Disability Insurance Benefits.

Maurer moved for judgment on the pleadings, and the Commissioner filed a cross-motion for judgment on the pleadings. These motions ask the court to decide the case based on the pleadings and related materials, without a trial.

Report and Recommendation

The case had been referred to Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy. On June 17, 2022, Judge McCarthy recommended granting Maurer’s motion and denying the Commissioner’s cross-motion. The parties did not file objections.

Because there were no objections, Judge Karas reviewed the recommendation for clear error, meaning an obvious mistake. He stated that he found no error, clear or otherwise, and adopted the recommendation.

Ruling

The court ordered that the Report and Recommendation be adopted in its entirety. It granted Maurer’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, denied the Commissioner’s Cross-Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, ordered judgment in favor of Maurer, and remanded the matter to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings.

The order does not explain the underlying reasons for the recommended remand or identify what further administrative actions the Commissioner must take.