Social Security judges see more back pain cases than any other impairment. Because of this, you need to do whatever you can to make your case stand out. If you come to your hearing with vague complaints that your lower back "hurts all the time," that you "can't lift very much" and that you "can't sit very long" you are going to lose. Judges expect to see MRI or CT scan reports, support from a treating doctor, on-going treatment records, and specific testimony from you about what you can and cannot do.
More on How to Win Your Back Pain Case in a Social Security Disability Hearing
I received the following condition from a young lady named Sarah, who is living with a blood disorder called Diamond Blackfan Anemia. This condition requires blood transfusions about every three weeks and results in good days and bad days over the course of a month.
More on How to Argue for Disability When Your Medical Condition Produces Good Days and Bad Days
I received the following email from a gentleman named Richard who graciously agreed to permit me to respond to his questions on this blog/podcast.
You have, what I believe to be be, the most informative, no BS, Attorney site I have seen in my 3 mo quest for information…enough of the "smoke up the…."….
More on Episode 23 – What is Best Strategy for Claimant With Multiple Medical Problems
Filed under Disability and back pain, Functional capacity argument, Listing argument by 
Episode Notes: Link to grid rules
I have always believed that work history helps establish credibility. Yesterday our judge said as much and approved a case with consistent, but not overwhelming medical records.
More on Episode 19 – The Importance of Past Work, and Hearing Records on CD
Filed under Hearing process, Multiple medical problems by
Episode 6 – Show Notes
Question 1: After my wife received Short Term Disability for 5 months, I called my wife's plan administrator to get an update today. They told me her claim was denied as of 2 weeks ago. Had I not called we would not have known. She is unable to work due to seizures and depression. Her MD agrees. What recourse do we have?
Filed under Multiple medical problems, SSDI and LTD or STD by
In this episode, I answer two more questions: 1. Kate writes to ask how she can terminate her lawyer, who she says is not doing his job. 2. Kenneth writes to say that he has a significant heart problem and his current cardiologist supports him but the previous cardiologist has the attitude "if he can walk, he is not disabled." Kenneth wonders if the first cardiologist's attitude is going to doom his case.
Filed under Attorney issues, Disability and cardiac problems by
In this episode, I answer two questions: 1. Gladys writes to say that she has bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome but has been turned down twice by Social Security. She has returned to work and has been able to work because of regular shots she is getting from her doctor. Gladys will be retiring in June, 2006 and wants to know if she has a chance at winning 2. Sandy writes to say that she has been working part time for several years and only has 18 credits and therefore does not meet the non-medical qualifications for Title II. I assume that her husband earns enough that Sandy would not qualify for SSI. She wants to know what she should do to try to qualify for Title II disability.
Filed under Disability and carpel tunnel, Non-medical qualifications for Title II by
Jonathan Ginsberg
