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An important factor in the Social Security disability claims process is the claimant’s credibility in front of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) disability examiner. To remain a credible claimant, it is highly advised that you hire an experienced attorney from a reputable Ocala Social Security disability appeal law firm to advise you and guide you through the disability claims process. The first step in the Social Security disability determination process is for the SSA examiner to establish that you have a medically determinable impairment that is associated with certain symptoms. Once this is established, the examiner will then need to examine the intensity and persistence of the symptoms to see whether they affect your ability to be gainfully employed. In…Read More

In order for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine whether you are able to work, it needs to first determine what you are still able to do given the limitations of your disability. This is known as your residual functional capacity, or RFC. Your Ocala, Florida Social Security appeal attorney can provide you with more information about RFC and how it will affect your eligibility for Social Security disability benefits. What Is an RFC Evaluation? RFC is an evaluation of your remaining ability to perform tasks at work, considering all of the limitations of your physical or mental impairment. The simplest way to think about this is: how much you can do, and for how long, now that you…Read More

Some individuals do not meet theexertional limitations—which include the ability to sit, stand and walk—outlined in the Vocational Guidelines established by the Social Security Administration (SSA)to qualify them for Social Security disability benefits. In such cases, yourSocial Security attorney in Ocala, Florida will need to prove to the SSA that you still qualify for disability benefits based on your non-exertional limitations. What Are Non-Exertional Limitations? The SSA defines non-exertional limitations as those restrictions that will limit the individual’s capacity to meet the “non-strength” demands of jobs. These are all physical limitations and restrictions that are set forth in exertional limitations under the Vocational Guidelines, also known as the “the grid.” Examples of non-exertional limitations include: - Postural limitations - Visual…Read More

Even if you suffer from a disability that prevents you from working, you do not automatically qualify to receive disability benefits.  A Florida Social Security disability law firm can help you determine your eligibility for disability benefits based upon the following questions and criteria. How Many Jobs Can You Perform? If you cannot reasonably perform any jobs at all, even simple tasks, you must clearly prove your inability to work to the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration does not make the process easy, and there is a good chance that it will reject your claim. However, if you hire an accomplished Florida Social Security disability law firm, your attorneys will appeal the ruling and increase your chances of…Read More

If the Social Security Administration (SSA) ordered a consultative examination as part of the evaluation process of your Social Security disability application, it is imperative that you hire an Ocala Social Security disability lawyer. Your lawyer will be most helpful if you are unhappy with the way the exam was conducted or if you do not agree with the report. When You Are Dissatisfied With the Way the Consultative Exam Was Conducted It is common for disability claimants to be dissatisfied with the way the doctor handled their consultative examination. This is because the doctors usually only spend a brief time conducting the examination. If you are not happy with your consultation examination, it is important to immediately notify both…Read More

As your Ocala disability lawyer will explain, part of the process in obtaining Social Security disability benefits includes submitting to a consultative examination. Many clients are apprehensive about undergoing an examination by a new or different physician, and this is understandable. If you are faced with the requirement to endure a consultative examination, there are a few key points to understand before getting started. Doctor selection The Social Security Administration (SSA) selects the doctor that will perform your consultative examination. The SSA enters into contracts with doctors and specialists to perform these tests and will try to choose a doctor as close to your area as possible. The doctor will have practice experience in the area of medicine pertaining to…Read More

Pain is the most common reason people seek medical care and frequently drives the need for Social Security disability benefits. An Ocala disability attorney can help you determine whether your pain is severe enough to qualify you for disability benefits. Pain can be disabling when it is constant or severe. But pain is a subjective symptom. Only the patient can measure their own pain. It doesn’t show up on medical tests and this makes it difficult to document. Measuring pain How do Social Security administrators approach measuring pain and whether it prevents a claimant from working? The agency first explores whether an underlying medically determinable impairment may be reasonably causing the pain. If so, you will need to describe the…Read More

In your Social Security disability claim, will your doctor’s opinion be controling? Your Ocala Social Security disability attorney will assess whether your physician’s views will have sufficient weight to uphold your claim. Three main factors determine the doctor’s authority. Well-supported opinion The treating doctor’s opinion must be well supported to be given merit. The supporting records include clinical and laboratory exams and diagnostic techniques. If the treating doctor’s opinion is medically well supported and consistent with other substantial evidence in the case record, it will be regarded as controlling. In such a case your doctor’s determination will be honored. A “treating source” Another important factor is that the clinician must indeed be your treating provider. You can’t shop around for…Read More