LISA GODBEY WOOD, Chief District Judge.
After an independent and de novo review of the entire record, the undersigned concurs with the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation, to which Objections have been filed. In her Objections, Plaintiff asserts that her treating psychiatrist's opinion is not inconsistent with his treatment records. By extension, Plaintiff appears to assert that the Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") erred in discrediting her treating psychiatrist's opinion. Plaintiff overlooks the AL's finding that her treating psychiatrist's opinion regarding her areas of marked limitation was inconsistent with his treatment records and was not supported by the evidence of record. Even if Plaintiff's treating psychiatrist's records were consistent with his opinion, the ALJ had an additional reason for having "good cause" to reject the opinion of Plaintiff's treating psychiatrist. (Doc. No. 20, pp. 5-6) (quoting
Plaintiff disagrees with the ALJ's credibility findings based on Plaintiff's subjective evidence and with her activities of daily living. This Court's role is not to reweigh evidence or make an independent determination of a claimant's credibility. Rather, this Court's role is to ensure that the AL's determination is supported by substantial evidence and that the proper legal standards are followed. The ALJ provided "explicit and adequate reasons for discrediting" Plaintiff. (Id. at p. 9). The AL's credibility determination, as set forth by the Magistrate Judge, is supported by substantial evidence, and the correct legal standards were applied.
Finally, Plaintiff asserts that the AL's finding that she could perform a full range of unskilled, light work is inconsistent with his finding that she has severe adjustment disorder and major depression. By extension, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred in failing to consult a vocational expert. However, and as the Magistrate Judge noted, the ALJ was not required to consult a vocational expert in this case, as he determined that Plaintiff could perform the full range of work at the unskilled, light level and that Plaintiff did not suffer from any non-exertional impairments which would limit this ability. The AL's failure to consult a vocational expert was not error.
Plaintiff's Objections are