Lynch v. O'Malley

CAMILLAL.,
V.
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DMSION
Plaintiff,
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§ 	CIVIL ACTION NO. H-25-366
FRANK BISIGNANO, 1
Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration,
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Defendant. 	§
MEMORANDUM AND OPINION ADOPTING THE
MEMORANDUM AND RECOMMENDATION
Camilla L. filed this case under the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking review
of the Commissioner's final decision denying her request for disability insurance benefits under
Title II of the Act, 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(l)(A). 	The parties filed cross-motions for summary
judgment. 	(Docket Entry Nos. 	15, 	19). 	The court has reviewed the Memorandum and
Recommendation 	of Magistrate 	Judge 	Richard 	W. 	Bennett 	recommending 	granting 	the
Commissioner's motion, denying the plaintiff's motion, affirming the Commissioner's decision,
and dismissing with prejudice. (Docket Entry No. 21). No objections to Judge Bennett's ruling
have been filed. 	After considering the pleadings, the record, and the applicable law, the court
adopts Judge Bennett's Memorandum and Recommendation.
The plaintiff filed a claim for disability insurance benefits on August 31, 2021, alleging
disability beginning May 31, 2021. Following the denial of her claims and a subsequent request
for reconsideration, the plaintiff requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. 	The
1 Frank Bisignano was sworn in as the Commissioner of Social Security in May 2025. 	Bisignano is
"automatically substituted" as the defendant in this suit. FED. R. Crv. P. 25(d); see also 42 U.S.C. § 405(g)
("Any action instituted in accordance with this subsection shall survive notwithstanding any change in the
person occupying the office of Commissioner of Social Security or any vacancy in such office.").
United States District Court
Southern District of Texas
ENTERED
March 20, 2026
Nathan Ochsner, Clerk
Case 4:25-cv-00366 Document 22 Filed 03/19/26 in TXSD Page 1 of 2

plaintiff appeared with counsel at a telephone hearing on August 20, 2024, at which she and a
vocational expert, Bryan Pettingill, testified. 	On September 19, 2024, the ALJ issued a decision
denying the plaintiff the benefits she sought. Upon denial of review, the ALJ's decision became
the final decision of the Commissioner. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.981, 416.1481.
In a detailed opinion, Judge Bennett analyzed the record and the law, recommending
granting the Commissioner's motion for summary judgment and dismissing the case. 	The court
finds that Judge Bennett properly considered the evidence and correctly applied the applicable law.
The Memorandum and Recommendation of Judge Bennett is adopted as this court's Memorandum
and Opinion. A final judgment is separately entered.
SIGNED on March 19, 2026, at Houston, Texas.
Lee H. Rosenthal
Senior United States District Judge
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