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Saturday, August 31st, 2013

Reviewing An Employer’s Work Description

The typical Long Term Disability (“LTD”) application has three forms; one for the claimant, one for the treating doctor, and one is for the employer. While the doctor’s form provides the medical information, the employer’s form provides the vocational information. The importance of the Employer’s form should not be overlooked because the vocational evidence is just as important as the medical evidence. It is especially easy to disregard the importance of the Employer’s form if the insurance company processing the LTD application sends it directly to the employer for completion.

I filed an LTD application with Guardian Life Insurance Company of America for a 55 year old floor trader who sustained left leg, right hand and arm injuries. The claimant stood virtually the entire day at work. However, when I asked for a copy of the Employer’s form from Guardian, the Human Resources manager indicated the job was sedentary. After notifying the discrepancy with the claimant, he obtained a letter from his direct supervisor attesting to the fact that the occupation required being on his feet most of the day, as well as a letter from the Human Resources manager that her error happened because she used the incorrect job description to complete the Employer’s form.

I received a letter today from Guardian approving the LTD application. There is a very good chance that the application may have been denied absent the correction to the vocational information provided by the Employer’s form.

Friday, August 30th, 2013

Podiatrists

The Social Security regulations specifically state that podiatrists are acceptable medical sources for purposes of establishing impairments of the foot, or foot and ankle only, depending on whether the State in which the podiatrist practices permits the practice of podiatry on the foot only, or the foot and ankle. Nonetheless, claimants often overlook podiatrists when seeking Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits.

I have stated in the past not to underestimate the importance of podiatrists when applying for disability benefits, which some claimants apparently do because foot problems are not the primary impairment. When a foot problem is the primary problem, the treating podiatrist’s opinion is paramount.

I represent a 48 year former warehouse worker whose suffered injuries in a vehicular accident. His main injury was to his left foot, although he also sustained severe neck and back injuries. His SSD application was approved today. While the claimant submitted a report from his neurologist explaining how his neck and back injuries prevented him from working, the Administrative Law Judge gave greater emphasis to the opinion of the claimant’s podiatrist.

If you have a foot injury, regardless of whether its your primary problem, your podiatrist’s records and disability opinion should be sought.

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

Off Task

I received an interesting fully favorable decision today for a 49 year old former fire fighter with pulmonary problems that originated from 9/11 related exposure.

The claimant’s breathing problems resulted in sleeping problems, which caused the claimant to sleep during the day. Furthermore, the claimant’s medications exacerbated the claimant’s daytime somnolence. As a result, the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) found that the claimant would be off task at least 20% of the work day.

I researched the various Social Security rules and regulations, but did not find anything regarding being off task and disability. However, a review of the case law revealed dozens of cases where vocational experts unanimously testified that a person would be disabled from substantial gainful activity if off task 20% of the time.

Many symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, or mental disorders causing a lack of focus and concentration, can effect a person’s ability to stay on task. Medical opinions regarding the percentage of time that impairments cause claimants to be off task should be incorporate into functional assessments. Not only can an opinion supporting a claimant’s inability to stay on task provide positive evidence to support a claim, but it can also provide ammunition to cross examine an unsupportive vocational expert.

Monday, August 19th, 2013

Social Security Reconsideration

In most States, if your application for Social Security Disability (“SSD”) is denied, the first appeal you can file is a Request for Reconsideration. Seeking reconsideration only requires you to complete a short form concerning any changes in your health, and any work you have done since you filed your SDD application. Like the first level of review, reconsideration decisions are made by a claims examiner from the State Disability Determination Services (“DDS”).

New York is one of the States where reconsideration of an SSD claim denied for medical reasons has been eliminated. Most reconsiderations are denied; about 85% of cases. Criticism about reconsideration being a rubberstamping formality led to its elimination in some states.

I represent a 49 year old electrician whose SSD application was approved by the New Jersey DDS. What makes the reconsideration approval especially rare, is that no additional medical evidence was submitted. This indicates that the DDS recognized its original decision was seriously flawed. While the decision saved Social Security resources by reducing the hearing office caseload, one wonders why the application was not approved form the outset.

Monday, August 19th, 2013

Fully Favorable Decisions

Not all fully favorable decisions from Social Security are actually fully favorable. A couple of months ago, I received an approval of Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits from an Administrative Law Judge (“”ALJ”). During the hearing, I amended the claimant’s onset date to January 2010. However, when I reviewed the decision, I noticed that the onset date was amended to June 2010.

There is a 60 day period to raise any issue with respect to a hearing decision. I notified the hearing the office of the discrepancy. Today, a revised hearing decision was issued that accepted January 2010 as the amended the disability onset date. As a result, the claimant will receive an addition half year’s SSD benefits. Even if you receive what appears to be a fully favorable decision, you need to review it carefully to ensure that no benefits are effectively being waived.

Thursday, August 15th, 2013

Operative Reports

It is not uncommon for an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) to deny a Social Security Disability (“SSD”) claim on the grounds that a medical condition is not severe enough to be disabling because the claimant did not have surgery. The case law had made clear that it is not necessary to have surgery to show that medical condition is disabling. Nonetheless, if you have undergone surgery, then it should be obtained and submitted as evidence.

I had two cases that were approved today without any difficulty. Both claimants sustained orthopedic injuries from motor vehicle accidents. The first case involved a 48 year old warehouse manager whose foot was crushed, and the other concerned a 41 year old paralegal whose neck and back were injured.

Generally, Social Security prefers denying SSD benefits to claimants who are under 50 years old. I have had many claimants who are under 50 years old with motor vehicle injuries who retained me after their SSD application was denied. What the two cases I had today in common was that each claimant underwent major surgery. Each ALJ decision highlighted the surgery.

Treatment reports and functional capacity assessments can suffice to establish entitlement to SSD benefits. However, operative reports tend to lead to faster claim approvals. Many ALJs favor what Social Security doctors say over treating doctors because the ALJs think that treating doctors’ reports overstate a claimants’ disability in order to help them get SSD benefits. It seems that ALJs perceive surgery as evidence that a treating doctor is not exaggerating the extent of a claimant’s inability to work.

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

Unusual SSD Approvals

I received two very different and unusual approvals of Social Security Disability (“SSD”) applications today.

The first was a fully favorable decision from the Appeals Council (“AC”). While that by itself is rare, since most AC decision are either remands or denials of relief, this decision was particularly rare because the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) had approved the application last month. On its own initiative, the AC decided to review the ALJ’s approval, and decided that there was nothing to do. I have had more reviews by the AC on its own initiative during the last year than in the last ten years combined. It is unclear whether such reviews are a wise use of the Agency’s limited resources.

The second unusual decision was a fully favorable approval of an application that was filed almost a decade ago in 2004. I took over the case after it had already been to federal court. After I took the case to federal court a second time and two more hearings with medical and vocational experts, the claimant’s application was finally approved.

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

Risky Side Effects

Disability claim adjudicators try to guess claimant’s motivation for seeking disability benefits. Depending upon the type of disability benefit at stake, different methods are used to determine motivation.

Long term disability (“LTD”) insurers, such as Unum and Cigna, assume that claimants are lying about their disorder in order to defraud the insurer out of their money. LTD insurers use surveillance, field visits, and background checks for criminal history, financial problems and so, to create evidence to show that claimants are being dishonest. LTD insurers have adopted an irrational culture of corporate paranoia as a way of doing business.

Social Security has rules and regulations that provide how a claimant’s credibility must be assessed. While those rules and regulations can be misapplied, they at least provide an objective guideline that provides grounds for appeal when not followed. One of things that Social Security is supposed to analyze when evaluating a claimant’s credibility are the side effects of medication.

I represent a 43 year old stock broker with psoriatic arthritis whose Social Security Disability (“SSD”) claim was approved today, without a hearing. The diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis itself does not show that the claimant was disabled. Like other psoriatic arthritis cases that I have had where a hearing was required, the stockbroker’s doctors provided reports explaining why the condition precluded work. What is different here was the claimant’s treatment.

For years, the claimant has been required to take Humira, Remicade and now Enbrel injections. Those medications are known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (“DMARDs”). DMARDs have very serious side effects caused by the medications’ blocking the immune system. I contended that the claimant having no choice but to continue taking DMARDs shows that his psoriatic arthritis is very severe. The Administr

Monday, August 12th, 2013

ALJ Strauss Claimants

If you had a Social Security hearing before Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) Hazel Strauss where you thought you were denied a fair hearing, now is your chance to let her know.

The federal court has scheduled another Fairness Hearing regarding the Padro class action for September 16, 2013. ALJ Strauss asked Judge Amon for the opportunity to speak at the Fairness Hearing. Notably, ALJ Strauss made use of government resources, official SSA letterhead, envelope, and apparently postal meter, to mail her personal request.

ALJ Strauss wants to complain to Judge Amon about how unfairly she has been treated in the Padro class action. I am sure that Judge Amon would like to hear from claimants who were treated unfairly by ALJ Strauss as well.

Saturday, August 10th, 2013

Unsuccessful Work Attempt

Just because you worked after the date you said you became disabled does not automatically mean that you cannot get Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits. An unsuccessful work attempt (“UWA”) is one way that you can receive SSD benefits even if you have worked after your disability began. 

I represent a 50 year old motor equipment operator with back problems whose SSD application was approved today without a hearing. The claimant stopped working on May 24, 2012. However, the claimant did try to resume working in March and April of this year, but had to stop when working exacerbated his symptoms. 

If you worked for less than three months because of your medical impairment, the work effort can be treated as an UWA. Your impairment may have caused you to leave because you couldn’t do the work, your doctor’s restrictions wouldn’t allow you to do the work, or the removal of special conditions, known as accommodations, were removed. Examples of accommodations include: assistance from other employees; special equipment; modified work schedule; to work irregular hours; extra breaks; and so. 

Because the claimant stopped working within three months for the reasons set forth above, his UWA did not stop him from receiving any SSD benefits. Had he worked between 6 and 9 months, then the requirements for qualifying as an UWA would be more restrictive.

Friday, August 9th, 2013

Unum Pressures Doctors

When I represent a claimant for an Long Term Disabilty (“LTD”) claim, I send a letter of representation letter with specific instructions to the insurance company to have no further contact with the claimant, and that all communication goes through me. I also advise the claimant to set up a meeting with their doctors to ask them not to speak to anyone, including doctors, who call the insurance company handling their claim.

Why do I take these measures? Unum, in particular, has a habit of calling and harassing the claimant’s doctors. This bullying is done on purpose, calling the doctors in the middle of the day, during their busiest time. The claimant’s doctor may just provide information, without even checking their patients. This is why it is imperative to have a face to face conversation with all your doctors when applying for LTD.

Friday, August 2nd, 2013

Patchogue Continued Ineptitude

I submitted an application on December 3, 2013 to the Patchogue field office. The application was sent no less than 20 times due to our experience with that office losing or “never receiving” the paperwork. SS requires originals of some of the documents and those are mailed the same day the application is faxed. Somehow, this office never seems to get their mail, because they are forever accusing us of not mailing originals. Because of their ineptitude, we now ask claimants to send us duplicate orgininals so we are prepared to mail them again, when Patchogue claims not to have received them.

My office has been calling on this application since December, including calling the Office of Public Affairs. However, it is impossible to call and speak to anyone at the Patchogue office since they have all their phone calls rerouted to Social Security’s national number. This does not help since they cannot tell us if Patchogue has received anything from us. We were forced to fax Patchogue letters, asking them to call us regarding this claimant since we cannot reach them by phone. They did not, and have not called us. We were assured in February by Public Affairs that Patchogue was overwhelmed and backlogged with work but would get the application processed.

My office spoke to Public Affairs again in April, only to be told that Patchogue claimed they had never received the original documents. My office mailed them our “duplicate” originals that same day. Today, Public Affairs advised me, almost 9 months after the application was originally submitted, and 4 months after the “duplicate” originals were mailed, that Patchogue still says they never received the original forms and cannot process the application. Patchogue even went as far as to lie to Public Affairs by telling them they sent us a letter stating this. We have not received any correspondence from them regarding this claimant.

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    • Padro Class Action Notices
  • May (6)
    • Rejecting SSA Remand Offer
    • CIGNA Regulatory Settlement
    • Polymyositis
    • NOSSCR Conference
    • SSA Misinformation
    • Padro Class Action Settlement
  • April (10)
    • DDS Actually Listened
    • Padro Class Action Update
    • Same Day SSD & DI Award
    • SSD for Letter Carrier
    • Illusory Unum Approval
    • Work History & Credibility
    • Lupus
    • Thank You Judge Irizarry
    • Crohn’s’ Disease
    • Work History
  • March (6)
    • Eliminate the SSD Waiting Period
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • SS Retirement or Disability?
    • Ignoring Unreasonable Requests
    • Officer Approved in 2 Months
    • PADRO Class Action
  • February (8)
    • Updating Evidence
    • SSD & Chiropractors
    • SSD Approved In Under 2 Months
    • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
    • Queens ALJ Bias Plaintiff
    • Breast Cancer
    • CIGNA LTD Fraud Template
    • Unsuccessful Work Attempt
  • January (8)
    • Why DDS Denies SSD Claimants
    • Partially Favorable Onset Appeal
    • Treating Physician Rule
    • FCE Spurs Unum Approval
    • Commendable Action By ALJ
    • ERISA Exception
    • Importance of Vocational Evidence
    • State Agency Exam Notices
  • 2012 (87)
  • December (4)
    • SSD Approved In 3 Months
    • Social Security Myth
    • Subpoena Leads to SSD Award for Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Another CE Problem
  • November (4)
    • CIGNA Bad Faith Affirmed
    • Walking Time Bomb
    • Three Heads Are Better Than One
    • Power Restored
  • October (7)
    • Appeals Council Remands
    • Social Security & The Presidential Election
    • SSD Claimants Need To Review Their Efolders
    • Firefighter Awarded SSD
    • Obesity & Disability
    • Videotaping IMA Consultative Examinations
    • Biased Hoppenfeld Decision Reversed
  • September (4)
    • Ileocolic Resection
    • ALJ Bias Overcome
    • Updating Medical Evidence
    • Should I Take Early Retirement?
  • August (9)
    • IMA Disability Services
    • Carpenter Wins SSD For Wrong Reason
    • Padro ALJ Bias Class Action To Be Settled
    • Binder & Binder Replaced
    • If at first …
    • IMA Disability Services
    • The Office of Medical and Vocational Expertise
    • Newsday Article
    • The SSD “12 Month Rule”
  • July (6)
    • Medical Expert Interrogatories
    • Patchogue Ineptitude
    • Emphasizing Work History
    • Reopening Disability Applications
    • What is NY Waiting For?
    • When Objective Evidence Isn't Enough
  • June (10)
    • Disability Benefits For Nurse
    • Bench Decision
    • Hearing Avoided
    • Disability Pension Award From Union
    • IMA Exams In New York
    • AARP On SSD
    • How Much Will Social Security Pay You?
    • SSD & Unemployment Benefits
    • State Agency-IMA Bad Faith Tactics
    • Why Bother With An Exam By IMA?
  • May (14)
    • Workers Compensation & SSD
    • Hoppenfeld Bias
    • Veteran Gets SSD for Memorial Day
    • Vocational Evidence
    • Establishing Mental Disability
    • IMA Exam Is Not Required
    • Postherpetic Neuralgia
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Disabling AION
    • Proof of Birth for SSD
    • Corroboration is not Superfluous
    • Social Security Listings
    • CIGNA CONTINUES ILLEGAL CONDUCT
    • Fast SSD Approvals
  • April (9)
    • Impaired Use of Hands
    • Representative Payee
    • Onset Appeal
    • Amending SSD Onset Date
    • State Agency Vocational Experts
    • Causation and Social Security Disability Benefits
    • Alport Syndrome
    • David Nisnewitz Found Unfit To Be ALJ Again
    • Reopening SSD Applications
  • March (6)
    • Another Example of ALJ Fier's Bias
    • Physician Specialty
    • Medical Source Statements
    • Podiatrists and Disability Benefits
    • Retaining Social Security Experts
    • Transparent Hoppenfeld Bias
  • February (7)
    • State Agency Disability Analysts
    • SSD & WC
    • SSA Should Reimburse Travel
    • Disability Benefits For Carpenter
    • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    • SSD Approved in Two Months
    • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
  • January (7)
    • Veterans Medical Source Statements
    • Disabled by Schizophrenia
    • Receiving SSD Benefits and an Income
    • Vocational Credibility
    • SSD For Police Officer
    • Kienbock's Disease
    • Patchogue Incompetence
  • 2011 (89)
  • December (4)
    • Binder and Binder
    • Appeals Council Doltishness
    • NYCERS Disability Pension
    • Can You Receive SSD If You Have Income?
  • November (6)
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Multiple Impairments
    • Adverse Evidence
    • Cerebrovascular Accident & SSD
    • Was A Video Hearing Needed?
    • NOSSCR Conference
  • October (7)
    • SSD Approved in 2 Weeks
    • SSD Approved In 2 Months
    • Disability and Diabetes
    • Social Security Benefit Increase
    • Vocational Experts
    • IMA Consultative Examinations
    • Hoppenfeld & The Rotation Policy
  • September (9)
    • Alzheimer’s
    • Federal Court Reassigns Nisnewitz Case
    • Approval After Federal Court Remand
    • Abusive Hoppenfeld Conduct
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • SSD Overpayments
    • LTD Approved In Less Than A Month
    • Maximizing Disability Benefits
    • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
  • August (7)
    • When To Amend The Disability Onset Date
    • Right To Cross Examine Post Hearing Experts
    • Commissioner’s Statement Is Offensive
    • Gilding the Lily
    • SSD Approved in 2.5 Months
    • When to File for SSD
    • Disability & Incontinence
  • July (11)
    • Hoppenfeld Fibromyalgia Bias
    • On The Record Requests
    • LTD Approved In Two Months
    • Work History
    • Relocating While Disabled
    • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    • Getting Disability Benefits Quickly
    • SSD Approved in 3 Months
    • SSD Approved In Two Months
    • SSD & WC Offset
    • Disability Analysts
  • June (7)
    • Federal Court Decision
    • Social Security Depravity
    • Depression and Anxiety
    • Fully Favorable Appeals Council Order
    • Erythema Multiform Major
    • SSD in Three Months
    • Lincoln Life Pays LTD Benefits
  • May (8)
    • Acquiring Work Skills
    • Court Rejects CIGNA LTD Termination
    • Disability Benefits & Substance Abuse
    • Endometriosis
    • SSD Approved In 2 Months
    • Raising The Retirement Age
    • No More Paper Checks
    • Treating Doctors
  • April (11)
    • SSA Prehearing
    • Disability Redefined
    • Consultative Examinations
    • Evidence of Hoppenfeld Bias
    • ALJ Nisnewitz Rejected Again
    • ALJ Bias Class Action
    • Working And SSD
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    • Federal Court Decision
    • ALJ Strauss Rejected Again
    • Seven Year Wait Over
  • March (8)
    • Lyme Disease
    • ALJ Strauss Reversed Again
    • Remand To A New ALJ
    • “Secret” Child’s Benefits
    • Unfair CIGNA Tactics Detailed
    • LTD Policy Offsets
    • Partially Favorable Decisions
    • SSD While Working
  • February (9)
    • Expediting Disability Benefits
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Date Last Insured
    • Radiculopathy
    • Videoconference Hearings
    • Expediting Disability Benefits
    • Patchogue Incompetence
    • Federal Court Decision
    • Union Disability Approved
  • January (2)
    • Does ALJ Strauss Try To Get Reversed?
    • ALJ Fier Unfit To Rehear Case
  • 2010 (75)
  • December (7)
    • SSA Notice of Awards
    • SSA Doctors
    • Protective Filing Date
    • SSA Delays
    • On The Record Requests
    • Dialysis & Disability
    • Disability Opinions & Medical Tests
  • November (7)
    • LTD and SSD
    • CIGNA Sued For Surveillance
    • Attorney Advisors
    • Social Security Doctors
    • Unum Reverses Termination
    • Electronic Records Express
    • Multiple Impairments
  • October (4)
    • Liver Cancer
    • Unum Approves Fibromyalgia Claim
    • Comorbid Conditions
    • “Partially Favorable” Decisions
  • September (6)
    • Income Doesn't Bar Disability Benefits
    • Celiac Disease
    • Proving Disabling Pain
    • EAJA Fees
    • IMA Disability Services
    • Self Employment
  • August (5)
    • Headaches
    • Ankle Injuries
    • Partially Favorable Decisions
    • Bench Decisions
    • Fibromyalgia
  • July (6)
    • Medical Listing Opinions
    • Treatment Records
    • Avoiding SSD Hearings
    • Federal Court Remand
    • The MTA & SSD
    • When Work Doesn’t Count
  • June (7)
    • Gastroparesis
    • Sjogren's Syndrome
    • Benefits After A Federal Court Remand
    • Firefighter Gets SSD Benefits
    • Prudential Approved LTD, For Now
    • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
    • Getting Benefits While Working
  • May (7)
    • EAJA Fees
    • Stroke
    • New Jersey District Court Remand
    • District Court Remand
    • ALJ Hoppenfeld Overtly Acts Biased
    • Veterans
    • NYCERS & SSD
  • April (8)
    • Medical Evidence and Functionality
    • Deceptive SSA Notices
    • Onset Date
    • Queens ALJs
    • When Can You File For SSD Benefits?
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Consultative Exam (“CE”) Ruled Improper
    • EAJA Fees
  • March (5)
    • Consultative Examinations
    • New Office
    • Complaining About Biased ALJs
    • IMA Disability Services
    • Multiple Impairments
  • February (6)
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    • Fibromyalgia
    • Retrospective Medical Opinion
  • January (7)
    • Disability For Federal Employees
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    • Adult Disabled Children
    • Charcot-Marie-Tooth
    • Depression and Anxiety
    • RSD/CRPS
  • 2009 (60)
  • December (5)
    • Getting SSD Even If You Can Work
    • Health Insurance For Children
    • Health Insurance For Children
    • Settling With CIGNA
    • Avoiding An Improper Consultative Exam
  • November (5)
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Protective Filing Dates
    • SSD Delays
    • Reopening Past SSD Denial
    • ALJ Strauss’ Reliance On ME Cohen’s Testimony Proves She Is Biased
  • October (7)
    • Listed Impairments
    • Multiple Medical Sources
    • Attorney Advisors
    • Avoiding Consultative Examinations
    • Atypical Parkinson’s
    • Chondromalacia
    • Subpoena The SSA Doctor
  • September (3)
    • Prudential Reverses Fibromyalgia STD & LTD Denial
    • ALJ Nisenewitz: Stupid or Biased?
    • LTD & Health Insurance
  • August (3)
    • Teacher Finally Receives SSD Benefits
    • SSA Consultative Examiners
    • Child’s Benefits
  • July (4)
    • Retrospective Medical Opinions
    • Senior Attorney Adjudicators
    • Medical Improvement
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  • June (4)
    • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
    • Dictionary of Occupational Titles
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  • May (5)
    • Courts Rules CIGNA Is Biased
    • SSD & Taxes
    • ALJ Hoppenfeld Must Be Barred From FMS Cases
    • Don’t Believe Everything You Read
    • On The Record Request
  • April (4)
    • Avoiding SSD Remand Hearing
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  • March (9)
    • Oops, CIGNA’s Done It Again
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    • Appeals Council Rebukes ALJ Fier
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    • Obama Disability Benefit
  • February (4)
    • SSI Decisions
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  • January (7)
    • Court Blasts CIGNA LTD Benefit Termination
    • Obama and Social Security Benefits
    • “Fully Favorable” Decisions
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    • Notice of Dismissal
    • Initial SSA Decisions
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  • 2008 (70)
  • December (5)
    • Unum Cases In New York
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  • November (5)
    • Depression & OCD
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    • Appeals Council Remand
  • October (6)
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    • Applicaiton Filing Date
    • Representing Yourself
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    • Vertigo
    • Multiple Impairments
  • September (4)
    • Medicare
    • ALJ Hoppenfeld
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Appeals Council Remand
  • August (8)
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    • More Is Better
    • Disability Benefits & Work
    • SSA Medical Reports
    • Negotiating Disability Benefits
    • Consultative Examinations
    • GMA Exposes CIGNA
    • Work History
  • July (6)
    • Onset and Application Dates
    • Supreme Court Helps LTD Claimants
    • Expediting SSD Cases
    • Two Heads Are Better Than One
    • LTD Litigation
    • Retrospective Medical Opinions
  • June (7)
    • Establishing An Onset Date
    • Field Visit
    • Multiple Attorneys
    • Self Employment
    • Special Accommodations
    • Multiple Disability Benefits
    • Clarifying Objective Evidence
  • May (3)
    • Unum Games
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  • April (7)
    • “Fully Favorable” Decisions
    • Treating Sources
    • SSD & Mental Disability
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  • March (3)
    • Objective Evidence
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  • February (9)
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  • January (7)
    • “Accentuate The Positive, Eliminate The Negative”
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    • Police Disability
    • Seminar
    • Expediting LTD Benefits
    • Uveitis
  • 2007 (58)
  • December (7)
    • TBI and Vocational Evidence
    • Failure To Receive Notice
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    • Inability To Speak English
    • Discovery In ERISA Cases
    • Don’t Be Intimidated By DDS
    • Multiple Sclerosis
  • November (7)
    • Avoiding Hearings
    • Working Does Not Preclude Benefits
    • Be Wary of Forms
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    • Consultative Examinations
    • Purpose of SSD Hearing
  • October (6)
    • Why Wait?
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    • Overreach For Disability Retirement
    • Vertigo
    • No Objective Testing Required for Chronic Fatigue
    • Non-binding Disability Decision
  • September (3)
    • Always Review Your File
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    • Constant Vigilance
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  • June (4)
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