REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

E. CLIFTON KNOWLES, Magistrate Judge.

This is a civil action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3), to obtain judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security finding that Plaintiff was not disabled and denying Plaintiff Disability Insurance Benefits ("DIB") and Supplemental Security Income ("SSI"), as provided under the Social Security Act ("the Act"), as amended. The case is currently pending on Plaintiff's Motion for Judgment on the Administrative Record. Docket No. 15. Defendant has filed a Response, arguing that the decision of the Commissioner was supported by substantial evidence and should be affirmed. Docket No. 17.

For the reasons stated below, the undersigned recommends that Plaintiff's Motion for Judgment on the Administrative Record be DENIED, and that the decision of the Commissioner be AFFIRMED.

I. INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff filed her applications for DIB and SSI on January 16, 2009, alleging that she had been disabled since March 27, 2008, due to back problems, bladder disease, interstitial cystitis, anxiety, and depression. Docket No.11, Attachment ("TR"), TR 125, 131, 151. Plaintiff's applications were denied both initially (TR 77, 78) and upon reconsideration (TR 79, 80). Plaintiff subsequently requested (TR 94) and received (TR 105) a hearing. Plaintiff's hearing was conducted on November 18, 2010, by Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") David A. Ettinger. TR 40. Plaintiff and vocational expert ("VE"), Lisa Courtney, appeared and testified. Id.

On December 7, 2010, the ALJ issued a decision unfavorable to Plaintiff, finding that Plaintiff was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act and Regulations. TR 35. Specifically, the ALJ made the following findings of fact:

TR 30-34.

On December 14, 2010, Plaintiff timely filed a request for review of the hearing decision. TR 21. On April 10, 2012, the Appeals Council issued a letter declining to review the case (TR 1-5), thereby rendering the decision of the ALJ the final decision of the Commissioner. This civil action was thereafter timely filed, and the Court has jurisdiction. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). If the Commissioner's findings are supported by substantial evidence, based upon the record as a whole, then these findings are conclusive. Id.

II. REVIEW OF THE RECORD

The parties and the ALJ have thoroughly summarized and discussed the medical and testimonial evidence of Record. Accordingly, the Court will discuss those matters only to the extent necessary to analyze the parties' arguments.

III. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

A. Standards of Review

This Court's review of the Commissioner's decision is limited to the record made in the administrative hearing process. Jones v. Secretary, 945 F.2d 1365, 1369 (6th Cir. 1991). The purpose of this review is to determine (1) whether substantial evidence exists in the record to support the Commissioner's decision, and (2) whether any legal errors were committed in the process of reaching that decision. Landsaw v. Secretary, 803 F.2d 211, 213 (6th Cir. 1986).

"Substantial evidence" means "such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind would accept as adequate to support the conclusion." Her v. Commissioner, 203 F.3d 388, 389 (6th Cir. 1999) (citing Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971)). "Substantial evidence" has been further quantified as "more than a mere scintilla of evidence, but less than a preponderance." Bell v. Commissioner, 105 F.3d 244, 245 (6th Cir. 1996) (citing Consolidated Edison Co. v. N.L.R.B., 305 U.S. 197, 229, 59 S.Ct. 206, 216, 83 L.Ed. 126 (1938)).

The reviewing court does not substitute its findings of fact for those of the Commissioner if substantial evidence supports the Commissioner's findings and inferences. Garner v. Heckler, 745 F.2d 383, 387 (6th Cir. 1984). In fact, even if the evidence could also support a different conclusion, the decision of the Administrative Law Judge must stand if substantial evidence supports the conclusion reached. Her, 203 F.3d at 389 (citing Key v. Callahan, 109 F.3d 270, 273 (6th Cir. 1997)). If the Commissioner did not consider the record as a whole, however, the Commissioner's conclusion is undermined. Hurst v. Secretary, 753 F.2d 517, 519 (6th Cir. 1985) (citing Allen v. Califano, 613 F.2d 139, 145 (6th Cir. 1980) (citing Futernick v. Richardson, 484 F.2d 647 (6th Cir. 1973))).

In reviewing the decisions of the Commissioner, courts look to four types of evidence: (1) objective medical findings regarding Plaintiff's condition; (2) diagnosis and opinions of medical experts; (3) subjective evidence of Plaintiff's condition; and (4) Plaintiff's age, education, and work experience. Miracle v. Celebrezze, 351 F.2d 361, 374 (6th Cir. 1965).

B. Proceedings At The Administrative Level

The claimant carries the ultimate burden to establish an entitlement to benefits by proving his or her "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months." 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). "Substantial gainful activity" not only includes previous work performed by Plaintiff, but also, considering Plaintiff's age, education, and work experience, any other relevant work that exists in the national economy in significant numbers regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate area in which Plaintiff lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists, or whether Plaintiff would be hired if he or she applied. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(2)(A).

At the administrative level of review, the claimant's case is considered under a five-step sequential evaluation process as follows:

20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920 (footnote added). See also Moon v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1175, 1181 (6th Cir. 1990).

The Commissioner's burden at the fifth step of the evaluation process can be satisfied by relying on the medical-vocational guidelines, otherwise known as "the grid," but only if the claimant is not significantly limited by a nonexertional impairment, and then only when the claimant's characteristics identically match the characteristics of the applicable grid rule. Otherwise, the grid cannot be used to direct a conclusion, but only as a guide to the disability determination. Id. In such cases where the grid does not direct a conclusion as to the claimant's disability, the Commissioner must rebut the claimant's prima facie case by coming forward with particularized proof of the claimant's individual vocational qualifications to perform specific jobs, which is typically obtained through vocational expert testimony. See Varley v. Secretary, 820 F.2d 777, 779 (6th Cir. 1987).

In determining residual functional capacity for purposes of the analysis required at stages four and five above, the Commissioner is required to consider the combined effect of all the claimant's impairments; mental and physical, exertional and nonexertional, severe and nonsevere. See 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(2)(B).

C. Plaintiff's Statement Of Errors

Plaintiff contends that the ALJ: (1) erroneously found that Plaintiff's testimony was not fully credible; (2) did not evaluate her interstitial cystitis in accordance with SSR 02-2p; (3) failed to properly evaluate the opinions of Drs. Gulbenk and Mehta; and (4) incorrectly relied on the VE's testimony that Plaintiff could perform jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy. Docket No. 16 at 11-14. Accordingly, Plaintiff maintains that, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), the Commissioner's decision should be reversed, or in the alternative, remanded. Id. at 15.

Sentence four of § 405(g) states as follows:

42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c)(3).

"In cases where there is an adequate record, the Secretary's decision denying benefits can be reversed and benefits awarded if the decision is clearly erroneous, proof of disability is overwhelming, or proof of disability is strong and evidence to the contrary is lacking." Mowery v. Heckler, 771 F.2d 966, 973 (6th Cir. 1985). Furthermore, a court can reverse the decision and immediately award benefits if all essential factual issues have been resolved and the record adequately establishes a plaintiff's entitlement to benefits. Faucher v. Secretary, 17 F.3d 171, 176 (6th Cir. 1994). See also Newkirk v. Shalala, 25 F.3d 316, 318 (6th Cir. 1994).

1. Credibility of Subjective Complaints

Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to accord adequate weight to her testimony and failed to explain why he found her testimony to not be fully credible. Docket No. 16 at 13.

Defendant responds that "medical evidence starkly documented plaintiff's exaggeration of symptoms, malingering, and lack of credibility." Docket No. 17 at 13. Defendant notes that the ALJ could properly find functional limitations without fully crediting Plaintiff's testimony of disabling limitations because more than allegations are needed to prove disability and Plaintiff bears the burden of proving functional limitations. Id. at 11.

The Sixth Circuit has set forth the following criteria for assessing a plaintiff's subjective allegations:

Duncan v. Secretary, 801 F.2d 847, 853 (6th Cir. 1986) (quoting S. Rep. No. 466, 98th Cong., 2d Sess. 24) (Emphasis added); see also 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529, 416.929 ("[S]tatements about your pain or other symptoms will not alone establish that you are disabled. . . ."); and Moon v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1175, 1182-83 ("[T]hough Moon alleges fully disabling and debilitating symptomology, the ALJ, may distrust a claimant's allegations . . . if the subjective allegations, the ALJ's personal observations, and the objective medical evidence contradict each other.").

When analyzing the claimant's subjective complaints, the ALJ must also consider the following factors and how they relate to the medical and other evidence in the record: the claimant's daily activities; the location, duration, frequency and intensity of claimant's symptoms; the precipitating and aggravating factors; the type, dosage and effect of medication; and the other treatment or measures to relieve symptoms. See Felisky v. Bowen, 35 F.3d 1027, 1039 (6th Cir. 1994) (construing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(2)). After evaluating these factors in conjunction with the evidence in the record, and by making personal observations of the claimant at the hearing, an ALJ may determine that a claimant's subjective complaints of disabling symptoms are not credible. See, e.g., Walters v. Commissioner, 127 F.3d 525, 531 (6th Cir. 1997); Blacha v. Secretary, 927 F.2d 228, 230 (6th Cir. 1990); and Kirk v. Secretary, 667 F.2d 524, 538 (6th Cir. 1981).

The ALJ, when evaluating the entirety of the evidence, is entitled to weigh the objective medical evidence against Plaintiff's subjective claims and reach a credibility determination. See, e.g., Walters, 127 F.3d at 531; and Kirk v. Secretary, 667 F.2d 524, 538 (6th Cir. 1981). An ALJ's findings regarding a claimant's credibility are to be accorded great weight and deference, particularly because the ALJ is charged with the duty of observing the claimant's demeanor and credibility. Walters, 127 F.3d at 531 (citing Villarreal v. Secretary, 818 F.2d 461, 463 (6th Cir. 1987)). Discounting credibility is appropriate when the ALJ finds contradictions among the medical reports, the claimant's testimony, the claimant's daily activities, and other evidence. See Walters, 127 F.3d at 531 (citing Bradley, 682 F.2d at 1227; cf King v. Heckler, 742 F.2d 968, 974-75 (6th Cir. 1984); and Siterlet v. Secretary, 823 F.2d 918, 921 (6th Cir. 1987)). If the ALJ rejects a claimant's testimony as not credible, however, the ALJ must clearly state the reasons for discounting a claimant's testimony (see Felisky, 35 F.3d at 1036), and the reasons must be supported by the record (see King, 742 F.2d at 975).

In the instant action, after considering the evidence of record, the ALJ found that "the claimant's statements concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of [her] symptoms are not credible to the extent that they are inconsistent with the [stated] residual functional capacity assessment." TR 31. Discussing the evidence supporting this finding, the ALJ observed that Plaintiff appeared to be exaggerating her problems during her April 1, 2009, DDS consultative psychological examination:

TR 32, referencing TR 578-581.

The ALJ further noted that in her April 1, 2009, consultative psychological evaluation, Plaintiff "acknowledged a history of alcohol abuse and acknowledged having two drinks on March 12, 2009," yet at a second consultative examination on August 6, 2009, conducted by Dr. Doran, Plaintiff denied any alcohol consumption during the past twelve years. TR 32, referencing TR 577, 609. The ALJ also noted that during the August 6, 2009 evaluation, "[t]he examiner made no diagnosis." TR 32, referencing TR 609.

The ALJ further articulated that, following surgery, Dr. Ezell, of Urology Associates, P.C., noted on August 29, 2006, that "Tina is delighted with her progress. She is dry. Voiding well. Good control . . . return in six months." TR 31, quoting TR 226. The ALJ noted that no evidence indicated that Plaintiff had received treatment for any urological problems until October 8, 2007, when she, "in total distress," reported recent recurrent urinary tract infections. TR 31-32, referencing TR 221-22. The ALJ observed, however, that despite being encouraged to call her insurer for a referral, there was no evidence that Plaintiff had subsequently been seen by a urologist. Id.

Regarding Plaintiff's claim that she lacked medical records of treatment because she did not have health insurance, the ALJ discussed inconsistencies within this claim as follows:

TR 32-33, referencing TR 52-58.

As can be seen, the ALJ's decision specifically addressed in great detail not only the medical evidence, but also Plaintiff's testimony and her subjective claims, clearly indicating that these factors were considered. TR 31-33. It is clear from the ALJ's detailed articulated rationale that, although there is evidence which could support Plaintiff's claims, the ALJ chose to rely on medical findings that were inconsistent with Plaintiff's allegations. TR 33. This is within the ALJ's province.

After assessing all of the medical and testimonial evidence, the ALJ determined that "given the repeated inconsistencies, [the ALJ did] not find that [Plaintiff's] testimony was credible." TR 33. The ALJ observed Plaintiff during her hearing, assessed the medical records, and reached a reasoned decision. TR 31-33. The ALJ's findings are supported by substantial evidence and the decision not to accord full credibility to Plaintiff's allegations was proper. Therefore, this claim fails.

2. Compliance with SSR 02-2p

Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erroneously failed to follow SSR 02-2p, which "`provides guidance for the evaluation of claims involving [interstitial cystitis].'" Docket No. 16 at 12, quoting SSR 02-2p. Plaintiff maintains that interstitial cystitis "is a complex, chronic bladder disorder characterized by urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and pelvic pain," and argues that the record reflects that her "symptoms include all three." Id. Plaintiff asserts that the ALJ's decision is unclear as to whether he found her interstitial cystitis and urinary incontinence to be severe impairments, because the ALJ stated, "[t]he claimant has the following severe impairments: history of interstitial cystitis and history of urinary incontinence." Id., quoting TR 30 (emphasis in brief). Plaintiff argues that the "implication is that these impairments once existed, but no longer exist," when in fact, the medical evidence demonstrates the existence of interstitial cystitis since January 2000, extensive treatment for this condition (including multiple surgical procedures and treatment regimens), and the continued existence of this impairment through April 27, 2010. Id. at 12, citing TR 350, 632. Plaintiff asserts that she "has experienced documented bladder problems for more than a decade, without resolution, despite multiple treatment regimens," such that the ALJ's seeming suggestion that "these problems inexplicably and spontaneously resolved in the absence of ongoing medical treatment" is erroneous. Id.

Plaintiff also argues that the ALJ did not cite SSR 02-2p and that the ALJ's decision is inconsistent with its provisions. Id. Finally, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ's imposition of the limitation that Plaintiff would require "ready access to bathroom facilities" "necessarily assumes [that she] experiences both urinary urgency and urinary frequency, two of the three primary symptoms of interstitial cystitis," but the ALJ "inexplicably" and contradictorily found that Plaintiff's subjective complaints were not fully credible. Id. at 13, quoting TR 31.

Defendant responds that the ALJ complied with SSR 02-2p's instructions concerning medically determinable impairments and the sequential evaluation. Docket No. 17 at 10. Defendant notes that, contrary to Plaintiff's assertion, the ALJ explicitly found these impairments to be severe, stating: "[t]hese impairments have more than a minimal effect on the claimant's functioning and are thus considered severe." Id. at 10, quoting TR 30. Defendant also notes that, contrary to Plaintiff's assertion that the ALJ speculated that her symptoms "spontaneously resolved," the ALJ actually concurred with Plaintiff's report that she had a long history of interstitial cystitis and incontinence problems, but noted that, after her surgery in 2006, the record documented that complaints to her treating sources about cystitis and incontinence symptoms "fell off sharply." Id. at 10-11.

While Plaintiff is correct that the ALJ did not directly cite SSR 02-2p by number, Plaintiff has cited no authority for the proposition that the ALJ committed reversible error when he did not explicitly cite the SSR number in his ruling, and the Regulations do not so require. See e.g., 20 C.F.R. §§404.953(a), 416.1453(a). As can be seen below, the ALJ discussed Plaintiff's alleged impairments and determined that Plaintiff's interstitial cystitis and urinary incontinence were severe. TR 31-33. Interstitial cystitis is considered a severe impairment when "it significantly limits an individual's physical or mental ability to do basic work activities." SSR 02-2p.

When evaluating Plaintiff's impairments and determining that they were severe, the ALJ discussed Plaintiff's history of incontinence:

TR 31-32.

Contrary to Plaintiff's assertion that the ALJ's decision is "unclear" regarding whether he found Plaintiff's interstitial cystitis and urinary incontinence to be severe, the ALJ explicitly stated:

TR 30 (italics added).

Plaintiff's argument that the ALJ implied that these impairments were "spontaneously resolved in the absence of ongoing medical treatment" (Docket No. 16 at 12) is unsupported by the ALJ's discussion. As discussed above, the ALJ acknowledged Plaintiff's long and extensive history of these impairments and found these impairments to be severe, but he also noted that the complaints about, and treatment for, these impairments after Plaintiff's 2006 surgery had greatly reduced. See TR 30-33. As also noted above, the ALJ discussed the later absence of treatment evidence in the context of evaluating the credibility of Plaintiff's subjective statements of impairment, and concluded that "[g]iven the repeated inconsistencies, I do not find that this testimony was credible, and I find that the claimant's failure to receive any significant urological treatment since August 2006 is inconsistent with her allegation of disabling symptoms." TR 33. There is simply nothing in the ALJ's decision to support Plaintiff's contention that the ALJ implied that these impairments "spontaneously resolved in the absence of ongoing medical treatment."

Finally, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ's imposition of a limitation requiring her to have "ready access to bathroom facilities" is contradictory to his finding that Plaintiff's complaints were not fully credible. Docket No. 16 at 13, quoting TR 31. As noted, the ALJ found Plaintiff's interstitial cystitis and urinary incontinence to be severe impairments. The imposition of a limitation requiring her to have "ready access to bathroom facilities," therefore, is entirely consistent with the ALJ's severity determination, which is a separate and distinct determination from his credibility determination and in no way contradictory thereto.

For the reasons discussed above, Plaintiff's contentions on these points fail.

3. Weight Accorded Opinion of Plaintiff's Physicians

Plaintiff questions the ALJ's consideration of the opinions of Drs. Gulbenk and Mehta. Docket No. 16 at 13. In particular, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ contradicted his finding that Plaintiff's urological conditions were severe when he described as "particularly well reasoned" Dr. Gulbenk's consultative analysis (TR 588-91), which found Plaintiff's urological condition to be nonsevere (TR 33). Id. Plaintiff also argues that the ALJ committed the same error as the state agency medical consultant opinions — "they fail[ed] to give adequate weight to the opinion of the examining/consulting physician and to the claimant's symptoms." Id., quoting TR 33, referencing TR 591.

Defendant responds that the ALJ "expressly did not fully accept" Dr. Gulbenk's opinion, and argues that "a sensible reading of the ALJ's rationale is that he accepted Dr. Gulbenk's reasoning about credibility but not her conclusion that plaintiff had no severe impairments." Docket No. 17 at 11.

With regard to the evaluation of medical evidence, the Code of Federal Regulations states:

20 C.F.R. § 416.927(d) (emphasis added). See also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d).

The ALJ must articulate the reasons underlying his decision to give a medical opinion a specific amount of weight.3 See, e.g., 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d); Allen v. Commissioner, 561 F.3d 646 (6th Cir. 2009); Wilson v. Commissioner, 378 F.3d 541, 544 (6th Cir. 2004). The reasons must be supported by the evidence and must be sufficiently specific so as to make clear to any subsequent reviewers the weight the ALJ gave to the medical opinion and the reasons for that weight. SSR 96-2p.

In her DDS evaluation, Dr. Gulbenk noted Plaintiff's medical diagnosis of interstitial cystitis, but questioned Plaintiff's credibility regarding her statements about the limitations caused by her symptoms. TR 591. In so doing, Dr. Gulbenk highlighted the inconsistencies between Plaintiff's statements and the medical evidence, as well as the psychological examination conducted at Dr. Sherrod's office by Bobbie Hand, M.S., which noted that Plaintiff appeared to exaggerate her symptoms during the examination. Id.; see also TR 576. While the ALJ regarded the opinion of Dr. Gulbenk as "particularly well reasoned and supported by reference to the medical evidence" in its discussion of Plaintiff's credibility, he did not fully accept Dr. Gulbenk's conclusion that Plaintiff had no severe physical impairments because she did not "give adequate weight to the opinion of the examining/consulting physician and to the claimant's symptoms." TR 33, referencing TR 588, 591.

With regard to Dr. Mehta's consultative opinion, the ALJ explained:

TR 33, referencing TR 569-70.

As can be seen, the ALJ did not contradict himself with his consideration of, and weight accorded to, the opinions of Drs. Gulbenk and Mehta. Moreover, the ALJ explained the weight accorded to these opinions and the reasons therefor. The ALJ's consideration of these opinions was proper; Plaintiff's argument on this point fails.

4. The ALJ's Questioning of Vocational Expert and the Existence of a Significant Number of Jobs that Plaintiff Could Perform

Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erroneously relied on the VE's testimony that Plaintiff could perform jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy, because the ALJ's hypothetical question posed to the VE was flawed. Docket No. 16 at 14. Specifically, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ used inconsistent terminology, having found that she required "ready access" to bathroom facilities but including only a requirement for "easy access" to bathroom facilities, which the ALJ "denoted meant `the same access you'd have in a typical home.'" Id. Plaintiff contends that the terms "ready access" and "easy access" are not synonymous because "ready access suggests immediacy, while "easy access" suggests proximity. Id. Plaintiff further takes issue with the ALJ's posed "hypothetical question to which the VE identified these occupations [because it] did not include the requirement of immediate access to bathroom facilities," which is problematic because the VE testified that the inclusion of the limitation of immediate access to bathroom facilities would preclude work. Id. Finally, Plaintiff contends, "the jobs identified by the VE are not jobs typically performed in a home, and there is no evidence that bathroom facilities in the work environments where they are performed are comparable to those found in a home, which is what the ALJ said he meant when he used the term `easy access.'" Id. at 14-15.

Defendant responds that the distinction between "easy access" and "ready access" was explicitly clarified by the ALJ at the hearing, such that the VE's response to the question was proper. Docket No. 17 at 12. Defendant also contends that there is no difference between the phrases "easy access" and "ready access" with regard to the question of whether jobs were available to someone with Plaintiff's RFC. Id. Defendant notes that "the ALJ patently did not find" that Plaintiff needed such frequent use of a restroom that she could not actually perform light work or make a successful adjustment to other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy. Id. at 13. Defendant contends that Plaintiff had the burden of demonstrating her RFC but did not show that she was as limited as she claimed. Id.

In the case at bar, the ALJ queried the VE as follows:

TR 63-65.

The ALJ ultimately determined that Plaintiff retained "the residual functional capacity to perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b) except that she can only work at jobs which allow ready access to bathroom facilities." TR 31. The ALJ also ultimately found that "[b]ased on the testimony of the vocational expert, I conclude that, considering the claimant's age, education, work experience, and residual functional capacity, the claimant is capable of making a successful adjustment to other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy." TR 34. In so doing, the ALJ relied on the VE's testimony describing the availability of a significant number of appropriate jobs. TR 34, 66-67. Specifically, the ALJ discussed the VE's testimony that "given all of these factors the individual would be able to perform the requirements of representative occupations such as sorter 1,400/40,000; laundry worker 1,500/50,000; and stock checker 1,800/60,000." Id.

As can be seen in the exchange quoted above, the ALJ did not conflate the terms "ready access" and "easy access" but rather, clarified his definition. Because the ALJ clarified the language used in his hypothetical question posed to the VE, the ALJ properly relied on the VE's answer to establish the existence of a significant number of jobs in the national economy that Plaintiff could perform. Accordingly, Plaintiff's claim fails.

IV. RECOMMENDATION

For the reasons discussed above, the undersigned recommends that Plaintiff's Motion for Judgment on the Administrative Record be DENIED, and that the decision of the Commissioner be AFFIRMED.

Under Rule 72(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, any party has fourteen (14) days after service of this Report and Recommendation in which to file any written objections to this Recommendation with the District Court. Any party opposing said objections shall have fourteen (14) days after service of any objections filed to this Report in which to file any response to said objections. Failure to file specific objections within fourteen (14) days of service of this Report and Recommendation can constitute a waiver of further appeal of this Recommendation. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 106 S.Ct. 466, 88 L. Ed. 2d 435 (1985), reh'g denied, 474 U.S. 1111 (1986); 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72.