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Importance of Diagnostic Testing
I represent a Social Security Disability (“SSD”) applicant who stopped working when he was 39 years old due to orthopedic, neurological, and cardiovascular conditions that limited his ability to use his arms and legs. His SSD application had been denied based upon a consultative examination, so he retained me to handle the appeal.
The claimant’s orthopedist, chiropractor, and neurologist provided reports concluding the claimant could not perform any type of full time work. Administrative law judges (“ALJ”) typically give little weight to treating doctors’ opinion when there are few treatment records in the file. While that was true for the claimant, he had an inordinate number of diagnostic tests, including multiple upper and lower NCV/EMGs, cervical and lumbar MRIs, as well as operative reports.
I contended that the diagnostic test reports amply supported the opinions of the treating specialists. The ALJ agreed and credited their opinions.
SSD Approved In 2 Months
At a time when there are record wait times for processing Social Security Disability (“SSD”) claims , sometimes the State agency quickly approves SSD claims, in much less time than usual .
I represent a 58 year old auto mechanic with spinal problems, whose SSD application was approved in two months. The obvious question is what accounted for the decision? I submitted a strong disability report from the treating spine specialist, but that has failed to suffice to win approval where claimant’s had similar medical problems. The claimant had a protracted work history doing heavy, skilled work, but again, that alone has failed to suffice to win approval where claimant’s had similar work backgrounds.
It appears that when presented with a strong disability report for a claimant with a long history of performing heavy work, then the State agency will approve the claim quickly without mechanically insisting that the agency doctor examine the claimant. Taxpayers would be better served if the State agency would refrain from improperly insisting that the agency doctor examine other claimants.
Unemployment Benefits Do Not Preclude SSD
I represent a 55 year old former steamfitter with spine problems whose Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits were approved today in a decision by Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) Andrew Weiss. The initial issue the ALJ had to decide was whether the claimant had engaged in substantial gainful activity (“SGA”) .
The claimant had earned around $900 for one quarter, which the ALJ noted was below the SGA threshold, which is about a $1,000 a month. The claimant had also received money from his union’s benefit fund and from unemployment insurance, neither of which the ALJ found were from work activity.
It was nice to have an ALJ acknowledge that unemployment benefits do not bar SSD benefits. In the past, some ALJ’s, notably the Padro ALJs , had used a claimant’s receipt of unemployment benefits as an excuse to deny SSD benefits . Those denials were always overturned on appeal.
ALJ Relies On Disgraced “Medical Expert”
When a Social Security Disability (“SSD”) claimant has a hearing, the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) can schedule a “medical expert” “(ME”) to provide testimony. According to the Social Security Administration’s “Medical Expert Handbook,”
The ALJ will ask you questions before you testify to establish your independence and impartiality, and your medical qualifications and competence to testify. If the ALJ does not already have it, you should provide him or her with a written résumé or curriculum vitae summarizing your experience and background which the ALJ will enter into the case record as evidence. The ALJ will also ask you whether the résumé or curriculum vitae is accurate and up to date, and will likely ask you whether you are familiar with applicable SSA regulations and other rules. The ALJ will also ask the claimant and his or her representative, if any, whether they object to your testifying.
It is imperative that you investigate the background of any ME who is scheduled to testify at your hearing.
I represent a 59 year old former respiratory therapist with cardiovascular problems. ALJ Weiss denied the claimant’s SSD application today based on the opinion of a disgraced ME, Steven L. Shilling, who testified that the claimant could work.
Prior to the hearing, Shilling submitted a resume that only went up to the year 2012. Even though the hearing was taking place in 2016, and the ALJ was obligated to ask Shilling whether his résumé was accurate and up to date, the ALJ conspicuously failed to do so. In light of the glaring gap in Shilling’s resume, I asked him if it was accurate and up to date, to which he said no. At that point, despite ALJ Weiss’s inexplicable recalcitrance, I insisted that I be supplied with a current resume.
It was no accident that Shilling had supplied an out of date resume –it was an attempt to cover up his protracted history of professional misconduct. One can only wonder why ALJ Weiss initially did not want to compel Shilling to provide a current resume as required by the Social Security rules.
After Shilling faxed his current resume for cross examination, I noticed that there was a two year employment gap, and then he claimed that he was simultaneously doing seven (7) jobs since 2014, including serving as an ME for the SSA. After questioning him about those seven jobs, it turns out that he had not actually worked at several of them. It is my understanding that it is illegal to submit documents to a federal agency that contains false information. More importantly, it shows that Shilling is dishonest.
After learning Shilling was dishonest about his work history, I proceeded to ask him if his resume was accurate about where he went to school, where he trained, and that he was triple board certified, all of which he confirmed. Both of his resumes stated that he was board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine, and Interventional Cardiology. According to the resume he had submitted, his education was completed in 1994, and from 1994 to 2012 was in private practice with “Cardiac Associates” as a cardiologist. When I asked what month in 2012 he stopped working there he said March, for “a lot of different reasons.” When I asked him what the reasons were, he simply reiterated what he had just said, and refused to give a specific reason.
I gave the ALJ a copy of the information provided by Healthgrades to mark as an Exhibit. I asked Shilling if the information from Healthgrades about where he went to school, did his residency, and then his fellowship were accurate, he stated that it was. I then stated that according to Healthgrades the State Medical Board found him guilty of professional misconduct on April 12, 2013, and asked if that was also true. He said yes, but claimed that his professional misconduct had nothing to do with his leaving Cardiac Associates after 2012.
Next, I gave the ALJ a copy of some pages from the December 2012 TMB Bulletin, the newsletter of the Texas Medical Board, to mark as an Exhibit. According to the TMB Bulletin, disciplinary action was taken against Shilling on October 9, 2012 because of his use of drugs and alcohol in an intemperate manner that could endanger patients. I asked if that was related to why he stopped working at Cardiac Associate, but Shilling claimed it was not. When I asked Shilling what he recalled about that misconduct, he said something about having a glass of wine with his lunch and then going back to work.
Next, I gave the ALJ a copy of an article from the April 23, 2013 Houston News to mark as an Exhibit. According to that newspaper article, while the Medical Board took action on April 12, 2013 against Shilling, it said that he had surrendered hospital privileges in 2010. When I asked Shilling if he ever got them back, he said no. When I asked him why he surrendered privileges back in 2010, he admitted that it was a prior instance of substance abuse. The Houston News article also stated that Shilling was not practicing medicine, and had no plans to return to practice. When I asked him if that was why he never worked after Cardiac Associates to work, he again denied that there was any connection.
Next, I gave the ALJ a copy of an article from the October 25, 2012 Dallas Morning News to mark as an Exhibit. According to the Dallas Morning News, “The medical board recently asked an administrative law judge to authorize discipline of the doctor.” It said Shilling “admitted to consuming alcohol” before going to the Irving hospital in 2010, “has a history” of drunken driving charges, “has been in treatment for prescription medication abuse” and “continues to drink presently.” Shilling conceded that the 2010 misconduct was independent of the 2012 misconduct.
Next, I gave the ALJ a copy of the printout from a search done on the American Board of Medical Specialties (“ABMS”) website to mark as an Exhibit. I noted that Shilling had testified just a few minutes earlier that he was triple board certified. I asked him what was the American Board of Medical Specialties, and Shilling stated it was the organization that certified physicians. When I asked Shilling if he could explain why, according to the ABMS, he was not board certified in any field, he admitted that he was no longer board certified in Internal Medicine or Interventional Cardiology, but claimed he was board certified in Cardiology. However, he was unable to explain why the ABMS stated that he was not, other than surmising that they Ddid not have his updated paperwork, even though two years had passed.
Finally, I gave the ALJ a copy of the Agreed Order, dated April 12, 2013 signed by Shilling and the Texas Medical Board for the ALJ to enter as an Exhibit. That was the only document from the cross examination that the ALJ marked as an Exhibit. HALLEX I-2—1-20(B)(3) states that when an ALJ issues an unfavorable decision, he is required to provide a finalized exhibit list “to protect the claimant’s due process rights. The claimant is entitled to know the information the ALJ relied on when making the decision.”
ALJ Weiss violated the claimant’s Due Process rights by purposely purging from the exhibits the evidence that I submitted to him, and used during the cross examination of Shilling. The ALJ was obviously trying to mitigate the evidence relating to the reliability of Shilling’s opinion because it served as the sole basis for the ALJ’s denial. The ALJ’s reliance was particularly insidious because federal courts have warned him before that he cannot rely on the opinions of MEs to deny claims.
In sum Shilling and the ALJ wanted me to rely on an outdated resume, which would have failed to reflect a two year gap in Shilling’s work history. That gap, which was readily evident in the current resume, obviously invited questioning for its existence. That questioning inevitably should have led the discovery of Shilling’s history of professional misconduct, and his exaggerating his qualifications to over compensate for his failings. Shilling’s testimony is tainted by financial conflict of interest because he is dependent on making a living as a consultant. The ALJ evidenced complicity in Shilling’s deception by refusing to mark the cross examination evidence as exhibits in order to bolster his decision to deny the claimant benefits based upon Shilling’s opinion. Similarly, the ALJ refused to require Shilling to produce his tax records, which would have established his dependence on income from testifying as an ME.
SSD Approved for Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is one of the conditions that is known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (“IBD”) . Social Security Disability (“SSD”) claimants with Crohn’s and other types of IBD are usually denied initially, and then forced to go to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge as the next step of the approval process. Unfortunately, the wait for a hearing these days is very long .
I represent a 35 year old former special ed teacher with Crohn’s who was just approved without the need for a hearing. While no express reason was provided for the approval, the relatively rapid approval was apparently because the Crohn’s disease met the listing for IBD.
Medical information supporting the listing elements was submitted, along with a medical report detailing how the Crohn’s reduced the claimant’s ability to function. Recognizing what information needs to be submitted in light of the particular medical condition is essential to securing SSD benefits, especially without having to wait for a hearing.
- Lupus Anticoagulant
- Consultative Exams
- 45 Days Means 45 Days
- Updating Opinions
- SS Approves Long COVID
- Compassionate Allowance
- SSD and Retirement
- Consistency and Persuasiveness
- Multiple Impairments
- Growing Dire Need
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Treating CE
- Long Covid Financial Duress
- Aid for Long COVID
- Federal Court Remand
- Another Win in Federal Court
- ANS Disorder
- Pain Management
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Disabling Migraine Headaches
- LTD Buy Outs
- Covid Long Haulers
- Remand for Benefits
- Prostate Cancer
- More Good News?
- SS Commissioner Fired
- COVID Long-Haulers
- SDNY Affirms SSD Win
- Prudential Approval
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- We Take Care of Our Own?
- Mystery Solved
- More State Agency Deceit
- SSD Hearings
- Some Good News!
- Medical Consultant C. Levit
- COVID19 Impacts SSD
- Prudential Approval
- CDC's Response to COVID19
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes
- COVID19 Bill
- Kudos to CALJ Wexler
- COVID19 Repercussions
- Coronavirus
- Getting It Right
- DaTscan
- Adult Disabled Child
- SSD Approved in 1 Week
- State Agency Doctors
- SS Benefits in Danger
- Proposed Changes to SS and Medicare
- 6 Years for Approval
- Exhaustive Hospital Records
- Expert Interrogatories
- Surveillance Report
- SSD Approved in 2 Months
- Unum Pays
- Bipolar Disorder
- “Reserved” to the Commissioner
- SSD Approved in 4 Months
- Videotaping IMA
- Frontal Lobe Syndrome
- Fahr's Syndrome
- Initial SSD Approved
- Inconsistent, But Favorable Decision
- SSD and Working
- U.S.D.J. Azrack Reverses ALJ
- Objective Testing
- U.S.D.J. Amon Reverses ALJ Iwuamadi
- Proposed SS Rule Hurts
- Borderline Age
- The Wait Is Killing Them
- IMA
- Erythromelalgia
- Limbic Encephalitis
- Government Shutdown & SS
- Consussions
- Migraines
- Physician Assistants
- SSA Stay Denied
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
- Bipolar Disorder
- SS Benefits Increase
- Dysautonomia
- Young Person Granted OTR
- Earnings After Onset
- Patchogue Obstruction
- Washington Times Article
- Medical Sources
- Lourdes Marasigan
- Lump Sum Settlements
- Partially Favorable Decisions
- No Help for SSD Backlogs
- Fast SSD Approval
- Vocational Experts
- Disability and Medicare
- IMA Disability Services
- NYSLERS & SSD
- Help for SSD Benefits?
- Vocational Expert
- Supporting Records
- Budget Cuts Increase Wait Times
- Support Letters
- SSD For MS
- Misconceptions About SSD Continue
- Patchogue Fails Again
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Lupus
- SSD Delays
- WC Medical Opinions
- Government Targets the Disabled
- Another SSD Myth Busted
- The Truth About SSD
- SS Benefits 101
- Increase in SS Denials
- Best Time to Apply for SS
- Parkinson's Disease
- SSA in Crisis
- SSD Reform Needed
- Applying for SSD Benefits
- Headaches
- Disabling Fibromyalgia
- Garnishing SS Benefits
- Nurse Practioners
- Trump Hurt Disabled Workers
- Expediting Hearing
- Social Security Fraud
- Congress Can End SSD Backlog
- Tips for Retirement Benefits
- Social Security Backlog Continues
- Income and Disability
- ALJ Found Scleroderma Disabling
- More SSD Delays
- ODAR Rumor
- SSD Approval Rates
- National Adjudication Team
- Second Circuit Case
- Prudential LTD Fraud
- District Court Rejects SSA Denial
- Work Record
- Macroprolactinoma
- Jerome Caiati
- Importance of Diagnostic Testing
- SSD Approved In 2 Months
- Unemployment Benefits Do Not Preclude SSD
- ALJ Relies On Disgraced “Medical Expert”
- SSD Approved for Crohn’s Disease
- NYSLERS
- Claimant Credibility and Work History
- NYS OTDA Fraud Update
- SSD Approved in Less Than Months
- Combined Disabling Conditions
- Lymphedema
- Significant Weight Suffices
- Combined Disabling Conditions
- Cancer Claims
- Deceptive Insurance Practices
- Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
- DDS Continues to Purge Evidence
- Proposed LTD Regulations
- Reliance Approves LTD After Deadline
- Approval for Toll Collector
- The Consequences of SSD Delays
- Acupuncture
- SSA Continues Prejudicial Policy
- Psychotherapy Notes
- Vocational Evidence Determinative
- Treating Doctor Testimony
- IMA Notices
- SSA Delays
- SSA INTENTIONALLY INCREASING DELAYS
- New IMA Fraud & Worse
- Mental Health Records
- CROM Testing
- Padro: Relief too little, too late
- IMA Evading Law Again
- SSD for School Custodian
- 28 Months For Approval
- SSD With No Hearing
- State Agency Analyst Lied
- Social Security Backlog
- Social Security Backlog
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Renamed
- Go Figure
- IMA Disability Services
- Sadistic IMA Conduct
- A Padro Success
- Disability for Breast Cancer
- Continuing Disability Review
- CIGNA Reverses LTD Termination
- Disability Hearing Witnesses
- The State Agency Concedes
- Social Security Fraud
- Congress Killing Disability
- Binder & Binder Bankruptcy
- SSD In Less Than A Month
- Hearing Wait Gets Worse
- Internists’ Disability Opinions
- Binder & Binder Goes Bankrupt
- SSA Form 821
- Dementia
- Sensorineural Deafness
- CIGNA Says Claimant Cannot Do Any Work
- Biased SSA Review Policy
- Pseudarthrosis
- Proper Hearing Notice
- Video Taping Consultative Examination
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- SSA Still Not Using eCAT Properly
- Supplemental Hearing Cancelled
- Establishing Mental Disability
- Passive Income
- Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
- SSD For Landscaper
- Disability Retirement Approved Without A Hearing
- SSD for Cement Truck Driver
- USDC Reverses ALJ Wolfe
- Disability Etiology
- Unum Field Visit
- Disability Benefits for Truck Driver
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Establishing Mental Disability
- Unum Reapproval
- Medicaid Disability Determinations
- Patchogue Problems Persist
- Benefits Turned On Vocational Error
- SSA Staff Attorneys
- Disability Benefits While Working
- Scleroderma
- Agoraphobia
- Padro Deadline
- State Agency Reports Misrepresentations
- Amending Onset To Avoid Hearing
- Carpenter Avoids Disability Hearing
- Brugada Syndrome
- Disabling Mitral Valve
- SSA Secret Rule
- The Electronic Claims Analysis Tool (eCAT)
- If You Die Before Benefits Are Approved
- Media Deception
- CIGNA Reverses STD & LTD Decisions
- Disabling Sleep Apnea
- Padro Settlement Agreement A Joke
- Appealing Partially Favorable Decisions
- Social Security in the News
- Hoppenfeld Refused To Comply With Padro
- Social Security Benefit Increase
- Reopening Prior Application
- Wegener's Granulomatosis
- SSA “Quality” Review By QRB
- Dire Need
- Padro Settlement Approved
- Social Security Increase
- Government Shutdown
- Reviewing An Employer’s Work Description
- Podiatrists
- Off Task
- Social Security Reconsideration
- Fully Favorable Decisions
- Operative Reports
- Unusual SSD Approvals
- Risky Side Effects
- ALJ Strauss Claimants
- Unsuccessful Work Attempt
- Unum Pressures Doctors
- Patchogue Continued Ineptitude
- Is Strauss Serious?
- Is It The New Commissioner?
- Padro Class Action Problem
- Padro Class Action Hearing Next Week
- Replace UNUM
- Expediting SSD Hearings
- Court Said IME Doctor Lied
- Continuing Disability Review
- Podiatrists
- Connect The Dots
- Unum Ordered To Produce Witnesses For Depositions
- Social Security Form DDD-3883
- Acceptable Medical Sources
- Petition Regulators About Unum
- Consultative Exam Withdrawn
- Padro Class Action Notices
- Rejecting SSA Remand Offer
- CIGNA Regulatory Settlement
- Polymyositis
- NOSSCR Conference
- SSA Misinformation
- Padro Class Action Settlement
- 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
- Eliminate the SSD Waiting Period
- Urinary Incontinence
- SS Retirement or Disability?
- Ignoring Unreasonable Requests
- Officer Approved in 2 Months
- PADRO Class Action
- 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
- 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
- SSD Approved In 3 Months
- Social Security Myth
- Subpoena Leads to SSD Award for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Another CE Problem
- 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
- 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”
- Medical Expert Interrogatories
- Patchogue Ineptitude
- Emphasizing Work History
- Reopening Disability Applications
- What is NY Waiting For?
- When Objective Evidence Isn't Enough
- 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?
- 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
- 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
- Another Example of ALJ Fier's Bias
- Physician Specialty
- Medical Source Statements
- Podiatrists and Disability Benefits
- Retaining Social Security Experts
- Transparent Hoppenfeld Bias
- 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
- Veterans Medical Source Statements
- Disabled by Schizophrenia
- Receiving SSD Benefits and an Income
- Vocational Credibility
- SSD For Police Officer
- Kienbock's Disease
- Patchogue Incompetence
- Binder and Binder
- Appeals Council Doltishness
- NYCERS Disability Pension
- Can You Receive SSD If You Have Income?
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Multiple Impairments
- Adverse Evidence
- Cerebrovascular Accident & SSD
- Was A Video Hearing Needed?
- NOSSCR Conference
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- SSA Prehearing
- Disability Redefined
- Consultative Examinations
- Evidence of Hoppenfeld Bias
- ALJ Nisnewitz Rejected Again
- ALJ Bias Class Action
- Working And SSD
- ALJ Bias In Queens
- Federal Court Decision
- ALJ Strauss Rejected Again
- Seven Year Wait Over
- 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
- Expediting Disability Benefits
- Multiple sclerosis
- Date Last Insured
- Radiculopathy
- Videoconference Hearings
- Expediting Disability Benefits
- Patchogue Incompetence
- Federal Court Decision
- Union Disability Approved
- SSA Notice of Awards
- SSA Doctors
- Protective Filing Date
- SSA Delays
- On The Record Requests
- Dialysis & Disability
- Disability Opinions & Medical Tests
- LTD and SSD
- CIGNA Sued For Surveillance
- Attorney Advisors
- Social Security Doctors
- Unum Reverses Termination
- Electronic Records Express
- Multiple Impairments
- Income Doesn't Bar Disability Benefits
- Celiac Disease
- Proving Disabling Pain
- EAJA Fees
- IMA Disability Services
- Self Employment
- Medical Listing Opinions
- Treatment Records
- Avoiding SSD Hearings
- Federal Court Remand
- The MTA & SSD
- When Work Doesn’t Count
- 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
- EAJA Fees
- Stroke
- New Jersey District Court Remand
- District Court Remand
- ALJ Hoppenfeld Overtly Acts Biased
- Veterans
- NYCERS & SSD
- 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
- Consultative Examinations
- New Office
- Complaining About Biased ALJs
- IMA Disability Services
- Multiple Impairments
- NYCERS
- Primary Care Physicians
- Social Security Rulings
- Anxiety
- Fibromyalgia
- Retrospective Medical Opinion
- Disability For Federal Employees
- The Grids
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Adult Disabled Children
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth
- Depression and Anxiety
- RSD/CRPS
- Getting SSD Even If You Can Work
- Health Insurance For Children
- Health Insurance For Children
- Settling With CIGNA
- Avoiding An Improper Consultative Exam
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Protective Filing Dates
- SSD Delays
- Reopening Past SSD Denial
- ALJ Strauss’ Reliance On ME Cohen’s Testimony Proves She Is Biased
- Listed Impairments
- Multiple Medical Sources
- Attorney Advisors
- Avoiding Consultative Examinations
- Atypical Parkinson’s
- Chondromalacia
- Subpoena The SSA Doctor
- Prudential Reverses Fibromyalgia STD & LTD Denial
- ALJ Nisenewitz: Stupid or Biased?
- LTD & Health Insurance
- 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
- Avoiding SSD Remand Hearing
- NYCERS Disability Retirement
- Submitting Medical Records
- CIGNA Ordered To Pay For Its Actions
- Oops, CIGNA’s Done It Again
- Hearing Office Attorneys
- Hearing Notice
- Appeals Council Rebukes ALJ Fier
- Unsuccessful Work Attempts
- Medical Assessments
- Disability & Downsizing
- Consultative Examinations
- Obama Disability Benefit
- Court Blasts CIGNA LTD Benefit Termination
- Obama and Social Security Benefits
- “Fully Favorable” Decisions
- SSD Secret
- Notice of Dismissal
- Initial SSA Decisions
- Appeals Council Scolds ALJ
- Unum Cases In New York
- Medical Evidence
- Prior Applications
- Disability is Functionality
- Medical Records & Reports
- Social Security Files
- Applicaiton Filing Date
- Representing Yourself
- Disabled Voters
- Vertigo
- Multiple Impairments
- Myasthenia Gravis
- More Is Better
- Disability Benefits & Work
- SSA Medical Reports
- Negotiating Disability Benefits
- Consultative Examinations
- GMA Exposes CIGNA
- Work History
- Onset and Application Dates
- Supreme Court Helps LTD Claimants
- Expediting SSD Cases
- Two Heads Are Better Than One
- LTD Litigation
- Retrospective Medical Opinions
- Establishing An Onset Date
- Field Visit
- Multiple Attorneys
- Self Employment
- Special Accommodations
- Multiple Disability Benefits
- Clarifying Objective Evidence
- “Fully Favorable” Decisions
- Treating Sources
- SSD & Mental Disability
- Using Vocational Evidence To Expedite Benefits
- Attorney Adjudicator
- Past Earnings
- Benefits Without A Hearing
- Irrelevant Medical Conditions
- Establishing Credibility
- Medical Updates
- No Health Insurance
- Application Dates
- Possible Delay Remedy
- Unum Reassessment Loophole
- Benefits Despite Income
- Consultative Examinations
- “Accentuate The Positive, Eliminate The Negative”
- Dire Need
- How To Avoid Hearing Delays
- Police Disability
- Seminar
- Expediting LTD Benefits
- Uveitis
- TBI and Vocational Evidence
- Failure To Receive Notice
- Mental Disorders
- Inability To Speak English
- Discovery In ERISA Cases
- Don’t Be Intimidated By DDS
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Avoiding Hearings
- Working Does Not Preclude Benefits
- Be Wary of Forms
- Exam Secrets
- SSD for Firefighter
- Consultative Examinations
- Purpose of SSD Hearing
- Why Wait?
- Insurance Department Complaint
- Overreach For Disability Retirement
- Vertigo
- No Objective Testing Required for Chronic Fatigue
- Non-binding Disability Decision
- Always Check The Listings
- LTD & SSD
- Avoid Early Retirement
- Getting Benefits Faster
- Medical Records & Reports
- Corroborating Physicians
- Unemployment Benefits
- Miano v. Barnhart
- Benefits Despite Working
- Work History Credibility
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
- Arthritis Foundation