In Peterson v. Commissioner of Social Security, a federal magistrate judge explains that a person suffering from one or more severe mental impairments may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits not only if a single impairment has lasted for at least one year, but also if in combination, his limitations can be expected to...

In Social Security claims, age most often comes into play in determining a person’s eligibility for retirement benefits. But age can also be an important factor in determining whether a person is eligible for Social Security disability benefits. In Oberg v. Astrue, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals explains how those who review disability claims...

In order to be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, a person must generally be unable to work for one year or more due to a physical or mental impairment or a combination thereof. As experienced Social Security disability lawyers representing clients in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we understand that it’s often not...

As experienced Social Security disability lawyers, we know that a person seeking disability benefits can go a long way in proving his or her case by presenting the opinion of a treating doctor. In Carter v. Astrue, the District Court for the Western District of Arkansas explains that a Social Security judge reviewing a claim...

A person whose Social Security disability benefits claim is denied generally has the right to appeal the decision in a federal court. But what about when the bureaucrats charged with reviewing disability claims drag their feet? Can the claimant sue to force a decision? The Seventh Circuit explains in McDonald v. Astrue. Plaintiff Michelle McDonald...

As experienced Social Security disability attorneys who have represented thousands of clients in disability claims, we know that there’s no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to obtaining disability benefits. As the Eastern District of New York’s recent decision in Tirado v. Astrue makes clear, not even getting hit by a subway...

We’ve mentioned in previous posts that a Social Security Administration (SSA) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) considering a disability claim is often called upon to weigh the credibility of various parties, including the claimant. In Muniz v. Astrue, the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio joins a growing line of federal courts whose ruling...

As experienced Social Security disability attorneys who have represented thousands of clients in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we do everything within our power to fully and vigorously assist clients in seeking disability benefits. What we will not do, however, is help a client commit fraud. Not only is it illegal and unethical to...

“Social Security Matters: Major Depression and Disability,” by Gabriel Hermann and Lewis Insler can now be found in the most recent edition of Mental Health News online by clicking here.

In reviewing a Social Security disability benefits claim, a Social Security Administration (SSA) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) often considers the opinions of a variety of individuals, including treating and consulting doctors, people familiar with a claimant’s daily activities and vocational professionals, referred to in the claims process as vocational experts (VEs). In Colon v. Commissioner...

Social Security Reform Hearing Our elected officials in Washington, D.C. recently held the second in a series of hearings aimed at strengthening the Social Security disability system, this one focused on increasing accuracy in determining who is and who is not eligible for benefits. “For every one tenth of one percent Social Security improves its...

In a recent post, we explained a Social Security case in New York City in which the reviewing court looked at a disability claimant’s Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score in part to determine the severity of the claimant’s mental impairment. It’s easy to lose sight of this tool in a shed full of strange...

One of a handful of factors that the SSA and reviewing judges consider in determining whether a claimant is eligible for Social Security disability benefits is whether the claimant’s impairment(s) is sufficiently severe. In Parker-Grose v. Astrue, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals explains some of the evidence that can be used to meet this...