The following chart shows Social Security disability award (approval) rates at various stages of review:
Award
rates are down at all levels. Here is how awards by administrative law
judges (hearings) have taken a free fall since 2010. Award rates by
year:
2010 62%
2011 58%
2012 53%
2013 48%
2014 45%
2015 42%*
No one knows why the award rates bottomed out or if the free fall is over. The usual suspects are Congressional pressure and hostile media coverage.
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2015 rates are estimated.
The
Forsythe Firm in Franklin, TN and Huntsville, AL is offering free, no obligation
evaluations of Social Security disability claims. We will evaluate your
claim before you file, recommend the best approach and tell you the
strengths and weaknesses of your claim. Every claim is different.
Factors that must be considered in any claims analysis include:
- Your age
- Your education
- Your past work history and experience
- Your medical conditions - both physical and mental
- How much medical treatment you have received and are now receiving?
- Do you meet a Listed Impairment (not required)?
- Can you qualify for a Compassionate Allowance and faster approval?
- Are you a disabled veteran?
How
does a free case evaluation work? First, we will speak with you on the
telephone and take some basic information. Next, we will probably set
up a free office consultation at our Huntsville Office (near Bridge
Street). We will review your medical and job information and help you
make a decision whether you have a viable claim for Social Security
benefits. We will not pressure you in any way. We will explain your
options, how we work, how long it will take, etc. If you decide for us
to represent you, and if we decide to take your case, you will only pay
us a fee if you win your claim and collect past due benefits. If you
lose or if you collect no past due or retroactive benefits, you never
pay us a dime, no matter how much we worked on your case.
You
may start by telling us about your condition by answering a few simple
questions on our website. This information is confidential, to be
reviewed only by one of our trained advocates or partners. Just click
the link below and answer a few basic questions. We will contact you
for more information.
Click HERE to go to our website. Then, click on the "Tell Us About Your Claim" tab in the center of our home page.
You may also call us in Franklin, TN at (615) 732-6159 or in Huntsville, AL at (256) 799-0297.
The
federal regulations reserve Social Security disability benefits to
individuals who an prove disability with objective medical evidence.
Generally, you must be able to provide medical records from doctors,
psychologists, clinics, hospitals or other acceptable medical
professionals that show.......
- the existence of impairments
- the severity of impairments
- the duration of impairments (how long symptoms have lasted)
There are two types of medical evidence. Objective medical evidence may include imaging studies, laboratory reports, EKG, and comprehensive examinations by a qualified doctor. Subjective
medical evidence refers to opinions of professionals who have viewed
the objective evidence and given a professional opinion concerning
your symptoms, diseases or injuries.
It
isn't enough for a claimant to allege back pain, for instance. It
isn't enough for a doctor to make a note in her chart that the patient
has complained of back pain. Most helpful would be an X-ray or MRI
study showing the probable source and cause of back pain, such as a
bulging or herniated disc, foraminal canal stenosis, degenerative disc
disease, etc. Then, your doctor might offer an opinion as to how the
disease (or injury) would limit your ability to sit, stand, walk, bend,
crouch, crawl, lift, etc.
"It
is really by demonstrating significant limitations on the ability to
perform common work related activities that you qualify for disability
benefits."
How
severe must the limitations be? The answer lies in the combination of
several key facts: the claimant's age, level of education and past work
experience. For
most claimants under the age of 50, the impairment must prevent the
ability to perform any full-time work. The rules are somewhat less
stringent for persons over age 50. For example, a claimant who is over
age 55, has a limited education and past relevant work that is unskilled
may only have to demonstrate that he cannot perform any of his past
work. A younger individual will likely have to prove the inability to
perform any and all work which exists in the US economy.
If
you are suffering from a medical condition that you feel may lead to
disability, it is extremely important to get prompt medical attention,
continue to see your doctor(s) regularly and try to follow the
recommended treatment plan. It is also important to tell the doctor(s)
about all your symptoms and explain any problems you are having with
such things as prolonged sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting,
concentration, fatigue....etc.
