According to a recent press release from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the VA and the Social Security Administration (SSA) have just launched a new program that is designed to get Veterans the VA and Social Security disability benefits they desperately need in a faster and more efficient…
After a series of public missteps, the U.S. Social Security Administration is seeking to promote a more positive culture within – and undoubtedly a better public image. These offices, which are formally part of the agency’s Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), are located throughout the county to handle…
Until the end of last year, we were seeing constant articles about how the Social Security disability program would run out of money and nearly 11 million Americans would lose around 20 percent of their total monthly benefits across the board. Many argued that the program needed major overhauls, and…
Over the past few months, there have been a lot of stories of misconduct by administrative law judges (ALJ) and the agency in general with respect to wait time and claims handling procedures. We have also seen the chief judge who is charge of the ALJ has resigned and will…
The Global War on Terror, including the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, resulted in a greater number of disabled veterans than we have seen in many decades. Even the Vietnam War, which was one of the deadliest conflicts in our nation’s history, did not have as many disabled veterans returning…
In recent months, there have been many various allegations and reports of alleged misconduct in Social Security Administration (SSA) offices around the nation. We have seen instances where administrative law judges (ALJs) have been accused of delaying hearings in an improper manner and also improperly denying benefits so as to…
While many people think of retirement benefits when they think of Social Security, that isn’t the only program run by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). There are also two disability programs. The first and most popular, is the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits program, and the Supplemental Security…
In Israel v. Colvin, a case from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, claimant was injured in 2001 while digging posts for a newly-constructed porch. Immediately following his workplace back injury, he sought treatment. However, he did not stop working during the time he was receiving…
As part of the process for applying for Social Security disability benefits, whether we are talking about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) will likely have an “independent” review of your doctor’s medical records or possibly conduct his…
In Ghiselli v. Colvin, a disability case from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, claimant applied for disability benefits from U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2010. Her basis for claiming a disability was after becoming disabled in October 2007. In her application for Social Security disability…