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govinfo:USCOURTS-caed-1_25-cv-01647-3

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California · 2026-09-29

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 
EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 
 
Sean Thomas Jeffries seeks judicial review of the administrative decision denying his 
application for supplemental security income under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, asserting that 
the administrative law judge erred in evaluating his residual functional capacity and failing to develop 
the record related to his mental impairment.  (Docs. 1, 13, 15.)  The Commissioner argued that the 
Court should affirm the decision of the ALJ because it was supported by substantial evidence and there 
was not a duty to further develop the record.  (See generally Doc. 14.)   
The magistrate judge found the ALJ properly rejected a 1-2 step task limitation, and the mental 
RFC was supported by substantial evidence in the record.  (Doc. 17 at 5-8.)  The magistrate judge also 
determined that the ALJ “did not commit harmful error” in evaluating Plaintiff’s hand limitations and 
his subjective symptom testimony.”  (Id. at 12; see also id. at 9-12.)  Finally, the magistrate judge 
found that Plaintiff failed to show the ALJ’s duty to develop the record was triggered, or that the ALJ 
SEAN THOMAS JEFFRIES, 
             Plaintiff, 
  v. 
FRANK J. BISIGNANO, 
Commissioner of Social Security,  
 
  Defendant. 
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Case No.: 1:25-cv-01647 JLT GSA 
ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND 
RECOMMENDATIONS, DENYING 
PLAINTIFF’S APPEAL, AND GRANTING THE 
COMMISSIONER’S REQUEST TO AFFIRM 
 
ORDER DIRECTING ENTRY OF JUDGMENT 
IN FAVOR OF DEFENDANT AND AGAINST 
PLAINTIFF 
 
(Docs. 13, 14, 15, 17)  
Case 1:25-cv-01647-JLT-GSA     Document 18     Filed 09/29/26     Page 1 of 2
 
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erred by not ordering a psychological consultative examination.  (Id. at 14-18.)  Therefore, the 
magistrate judge recommended that the Court deny Plaintiff’s motion for judgment, affirm the 
administrative decision, and enter judgment in favor of the Commissioner.  (Id. at 18.) 
The Court served the Findings and Recommendations on the parties and notified them that any 
objections were due within 14 days.  (Doc. 17 at 18.)  The Court also advised the parties that the 
“failure to file objections within the specified time may result in the waiver of rights on appeal.” (Id., 
citing Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 838-39 (9th Cir. 2014).)  Plaintiff did not file objections, 
and the time to do so has passed.   
According to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), this Court performed a de novo review of this case.  
Having carefully reviewed the matter, the Court concludes the Findings and Recommendations are 
supported by the record and proper analysis.  Thus, the Court ORDERS.   
1. The Findings and Recommendations dated September 3, 2026 (Doc. 17) are 
ADOPTED in full. 
2. Plaintiff’s appeal and motion for summary judgment (Docs. 13, 15) are DENIED. 
3. Defendant’s cross-motion to affirm the administrative decision (Doc. 14) is 
GRANTED. 
4. The Clerk of Court is directed to terminate all pending matters and enter judgment in 
favor of Defendant Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of Social Security, and against 
Plaintiff Sean Thomas Jeffries.  
 
 
IT IS SO ORDERED. 
 
Dated:   September 28, 2026_ 
 
 
Case 1:25-cv-01647-JLT-GSA     Document 18     Filed 09/29/26     Page 2 of 2

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