Will My Doctor Testify at My Social Security Disability Hearing?
Will my doctor testify at my Social Security disability hearing? It is very rare that a treating physician will take the time to appear at your hearing. Unless you have a personal relationship with your physician, you will probably find it very difficult to convince your doctor to attend a hearing. I have found that […]
Torn Rotator Cuffs and Your Social Security Disability Benefits
Torn rotator cuffs and your Social Security disability benefits. A torn rotator cuff can not only be painful, but can limit your ability to lift, push, pull, and reach. Your capacity to work can be greatly diminished, especially when the arm affected is your dominant upper extremity. It is hard to imagine there are many jobs […]
Testifying at Your Social Security Disability Hearing About Your Pain
Pain is probably the most common complaint my clients have concerning their inability to work. Physical pain can manifest itself in about any area of your body, and describing it to someone else is not always easy. Chances are when you find yourself at a Social Security disability hearing, you are going to need to […]
Is Your Back Pain Preventing You From Working?
I have represented thousands of my Indiana neighbors in their Social Security disability claims, and I can easily say back pain is the most common disabling condition I see. This pain can be so severe an individual cannot stand, walk, or even sit for any extended period of time. These types of postural limitations can […]
“Off task” at work – does it matter at my Social Security disability hearing?
Social Security disability hearings can be confusing – the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), your attorney, and the experts use a lot of jargon that may make it sound like they are speaking a completely new language. The basic issue that all of these people are discussing is whether you can perform the duties of a […]
Your Residual Functional Capacity and Your Social Security Disability Claim
If you have a Social Security disability claim, you have probably heard or read about your “residual functional capacity” or, for short, your “RFC.” In short, your RFC is an assessment of your physical and mental abilities to work. Social Security evaluates your ability to perform specific functions that are required in all types of […]
Bipolar Disorder and Social Security Disability Benefits
Bipolar disorder is a type of mental disorder. It is usually distinguished by periods of depression that alternate with periods of “mania.” Sometimes these episodes can be so severe that they impact a person’s ability to live a normal life. There are five levels of moods associated with bipolar disorder: Severe Mania Hypomania Normal Mood […]
What Does Social Security Mean By My Physical Residual Functional Capacity?
If you left an Indianapolis Social Security Disability Appeals courtroom and heard the words “physical residual functional capacity” and didn’t understand what they were talking about, you may not be alone. Indiana Social Security disability attorney Scott Lewis can see why someone not familiar with the Social Security appeals process may not know why these […]