Lackey v. Social Security Administration Commissioner

Filing 17

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 16 Unopposed MOTION to Remand to Social Security Administration filed by Social Security Administration Commissioner. Objections to R&R due by 6/17/2024. Signed by Honorable Christy D. Comstock on June 3, 2024. (lgd)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION
DESMOND LACKEY
v.

PLAINTIFF
CIVIL NO. 24-5002

MARTIN J. O’MALLEY, Commissioner
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT

MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Plaintiff, Desmond Lackey, brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) seeking
judicial review of a decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
(Commissioner) denying his application for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits
(DIB) under the provisions of Title II of the Social Security Act (Act). (ECF No. 2). The Defendant
filed an Answer to Plaintiff's action on March 7, 2024, asserting that the findings of the
Commissioner were supported by substantial evidence and were conclusive. (ECF No. 7).
On June 3, 2024, the Commissioner, having changed positions, filed an unopposed motion
to remand requesting that Plaintiff's case be remanded pursuant to "sentence four" of section 405(g)
in order to conduct further administrative proceedings. (ECF No. 16).
The exclusive methods by which a district court may remand a social security case to the
Commissioner are set forth in "sentence four" and "sentence six" of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). A remand
pursuant to "sentence six" is limited to two situations: where the Commissioner requests a remand
before answering the complaint, or where the court orders the Commissioner to consider new,
material evidence that was for good cause not presented before the agency. The fourth sentence
of the statute provides that "[t]he court shall have power to enter, upon the pleadings and transcript
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of the record, a judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of the Commissioner of
Social Security, with or without remanding the cause for a rehearing." 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Shalala
v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292, 296 (1993). Here, the Court finds remand for the purpose of the ALJ to
further evaluate the evidence appropriate.
Based on the foregoing, the undersigned recommends granting the Commissioner's
unopposed motion to reverse the decision of the ALJ and remanding this case to the Commissioner
for further administrative action pursuant to "sentence four" of section 405(g). The parties have
fourteen days from receipt of our report and recommendation in which to file written
objections pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). The failure to file timely objections may result
in waiver of the right to appeal questions of fact. The parties are reminded that objections
must be both timely and specific to trigger de novo review by the district court.
DATED this 3rd day of June 2024.

/s/____________________________________
CHRISTY COMSTOCK
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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