tdiu Social Security Hearing

[jimlane1949]

I have a SSDI hearing before the Appeals Board at the Social Security Office 4-4-07. I have a good attorney who took my case after 2 denials. I am very nervous and have 3 years vested in this process. I am TDIU T&P. Thanks for any input

Jim Lane

[Ricky]

Jim, I have never been before a SSDI board. However, I would assume it to be the same as any other hearing with an attorney. You have started off on the right foot by having someone represent you. He or she will fight the battle for you. You will probably get asked a few questions by the Admin Law Judge - Just be frank, look him in the eye and remember, you paid into this system so you are not asking for a hand out - these are your own paid for benefits. Good luck and stay calm for I am sure all will work out for you.

Ricky

[jimlane1949]

Jim, I have never been before a SSDI board. However, I would assume it to be the same as any other hearing with an attorney. You have started off on the right foot by having someone represent you. He or she will fight the battle for you. You will probably get asked a few questions by the Admin Law Judge - Just be frank, look him in the eye and remember, you paid into this system so you are not asking for a hand out - these are your own paid for benefits. Good luck and stay calm for I am sure all will work out for you.

Ricky

Thanks Ricky

[Guest jangrin]

I have a SSDI hearing before the Appeals Board at the Social Security Office 4-4-07. I have a good attorney who took my case after 2 denials. I am very nervous and have 3 years vested in this process. I am TDIU T&P. Thanks for any input

Jim Lane

Jim,

The ALJ likes for the claimant to have an attorney. You will probably not have to talk much as your attorney will do most of the talking. Usually, you will meet in a small conference room with the judge, attorney, yourself and occationally a specialist who has been assigned to give an opinion regading your disability(s). I have been able to sit in on a few hearings and they are very "low key" or informal.

However, the main thing is the ALJ is looking to your attorney to provide the medical/mental proof of total disability according to thier Blue Book. You my be asked to clarify a question that the judge is not clear on but usually the attorney handles all the questions. By the time the hearing is over you should have a very good idea of how things are going to turn out. Most of the hearings last less than an hour long.

Don't stress, the evidense will speak for you.

Jangrin

Edited April 2, 2007 by jangrin

[jimlane1949]

Jim,

The ALJ likes for the claimant to have an attorney. You will probably not have to talk much as your attorney will do most of the talking. Usually, you will meet in a small conference room with the judge, attorney, yourself and occationally a specialist who has been assigned to give an opinion regading your disability(s). I have been able to sit in on a few hearings and they are very "low key" or informal.

However, the main thing is the ALJ is looking to your attorney to provide the medical/mental proof of total disability according to thier Blue Book. You my be asked to clarify a question that the judge is not clear on but usually the attorney handles all the questions. By the time the hearing is over you should have a very good idea of how things are going to turn out. Most of the hearings last less than an hour long.

Don't stress, the evidense will speak for you.

Jangrin

Thank you very much this information is helpful.

[Philip Rogers]

Jim, you should be okay, "if" your attorney specializes in SSDI cases. If it's for PTSD the atty should have mental disorder interrogatories and mental residual functional capacity assessments, from your providers, as evidence, to present to the ALJ. Just an observation but if you've ever had a PTSD C&P, eye contact is very important and is always mentioned in the exam report. The more eye contact one has the "less sick" they are. Eye contact displays confidence. Just act as you normally are and you should be okay. Never use an atty that doesn't have SSDI experience. I did and lost my first ALJ hearing. Cost me 3 yrs benefits. jmo

pr

[jbasser]

Moving this topic to Social Security Forum.