» Social Security Disability Cases

Our client was working on a construction site when the floor above him collapsed on him resulting in open fractures to his right leg, fractured lumbar vertebra, chronic pain symptoms, and a traumatic brain injury. The client underwent multiple surgeries. The client was initially represented by a different attorney at the original claim and reconsideration levels and his claim was denied at both stages. Disability Determination Services (DDS) determined that the client’s medical impairments were not severe based on the medical records on file. Questionnaire forms that were sent to the client and his prior attorney were not completed and returned to DDS. We were hired at the hearing level and won him benefits after a hearing before an administrative law judge. Our office also handled the coordination of workers’ compensation benefits and Social Security disability benefits with the clients local Social Security office.

Our client contracted Lyme disease that went untreated for many years and she suffered from severe chronic fatigue, insomnia, chronic headaches, chronic pain and anxiety that prevented her from working. The client attempted to file for benefits on her own but was unable to complete the original claim paperwork. After filing her claim, we obtained all the clients records, a lyme disease residual functional capacity questionnaire from her primary care physician and a mental residual functional capacity questionnaire from her treating psychiatrist and submitted these documents to the Social Security Administration. Her claim was approved shortly after the medical records and statements from her treating medical providers were submitted to Disability Determination Services.

Our client suffered from severe cirrhosis, grade II esophageal varices, esophageal ulcer, and chronic fatigue that was so severe she was falling asleep while at work. The client filed an original claim on her own and the claim was denied. We were hired by the client to file a request for reconsideration which was also denied. We filed a hearing request and the client was scheduled shortly thereafter for a liver transplant. We filed an on-the-record request based on Social Security listing 5.09 and a cirrhosis/liver disease medical assessment form completed by the clients treating hepatologist and the client was approved for disability benefits without the need for a hearing. The client also received additional auxiliary children’s benefits for her minor children.

Our client suffered from chronic fatigue and severe exhaustion as a result of radiation-induced cardiomyopathy after undergoing radiation treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and breast cancer approximately 20 years before her alleged onset of disability date. The client was denied benefits at the original claim and reconsideration levels. The client was approved for SSDI benefits at the hearing level after we argued the claimant was limited to light duty work and based on her age, education and work experience a finding of disabled was directed by Medical Vocational Rule 202.06. Multiple narrative reports and functional capacity assessment forms were completed by the client’s medical providers and supported our argument.

Our client suffered a severe right shoulder rotator cuff tear requiring surgical repair, right ulnar neuropathy, chronic pain and insomnia as a result of falling off a ladder while at work. Disability Determination Services found that he was able to perform light duty work at both the original claim and reconsideration levels. We appealed the decisions and an Administrative Law Judge found that our client had the residual functional capacity to perform sedentary work but would be off task for more than 1 hour per day, in addition to regularly scheduled breaks, due to chronic pain symptoms and severe fatigue which would not be tolerated by an employer. The Administrative Law Judge found our client disabled and awarded him benefits. Our office also handled the coordination of workers’ compensation benefits and Social Security disability benefits with the clients local Social Security office.

Our client was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgical treatment resulting in chronic pain and severe fatigue symptoms and was unable to work. We filed an original claim on his behalf and submitted all of his medical records and notified the Social Security Administration that his claim should be processed and expedited under the compassionate allowance program based on Social Security listing 13.19. His claim was approved in 52 days, he was awarded disability benefits and his minor child was also awarded auxiliary benefits.

Our client suffered from interstitial cystitis which caused her to take 2 to 3 bathroom breaks per hour, each break lasting approximately 5 minutes, and she was also missing approximately 2-3 days of work per month due to flare ups and bladder issues. She was forced to stop working because of her symptoms and she filed a Social Security disability claim in addition to short term and long term disability claims through her employer. Her Social Security claim was denied at the original claim and reconsideration levels, Disability Determination Services found that she was able to perform medium duty work despite her symptoms. We appealed the decisions and an Administrative Law Judge found that our client had the physical ability to perform work at all exertional levels but her symptoms from interstitial cystitis would cause her to take breaks every hour for a total of 15 minutes and that she would be absent from work 3 or more days per month, which would not be tolerated by an employer, and found that she was disabled. The client chose not to collect early retirement benefits while her Social Security disability application was pending.

Our client suffered a severe right shoulder rotator cuff tear that required surgical repair when he tried to prevent himself from falling from a ladder. As a result of the injury, he suffered from chronic pain, insomnia and depression and was forced to stop working. Disability Determination Services determined at the original claim and reconsideration levels that he was able to perform light duty work. We appealed the decisions and filed a hearing request. While his hearing request was pending, he made a successful attempt to return to work. At his hearing we amended his disability application to a “closed period” and submitted evidence of medical improvement. The judge found that he did not have the residual functional capacity to work during the closed period and awarded him benefits. Our office also handled the coordination of workers’ compensation benefits and Social Security disability benefits with the clients local Social Security office.