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Ninth Circuit on SSDI: Lessons from Severns v. Bisignano
Severns applied for SSDI due to alleged severe physical impairments. The ALJ denied his claim, the district court affirmed, and Severns...
What Was Missing in the Thorlton Disability Case?
Context & Case Summary On February 11, 2025 , the Seventh Circuit affirmed the ALJ’s denial of Joshua Smitson’s Social Security...
Ninth Circuit: ALJs Can Reverse Course on Remand
An affirmance from the Ninth Circuit arose out of a Social Security remand on May 19, 2025. Years earlier, Johnson’s mental health...
Key Lessons from Pahl v. Bisignano
The Ninth Circuit’s recent opinion in Pahl v. Bisignano  (May 16, 2025) reinforces two enduring themes in Social Security appeals: The...
Eighth Circuit Upholds ALJ Discretion in Disability Claims
In Cropper v. Dudek , the Eighth Circuit upheld the denial of disability benefits, reinforcing the Social Security Administration's (SSA)...
SSA Rule Changes Upheld: Lessons from Jones v. O’Malley
On July 12, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a pivotal decision in Jones v. O’Malley , affirming the denial of Joshua...
When Is a Victory Fee Too Much? A Deep Dive into Tucker v. Commissioner of Social Security
Attorney’s fees in Social Security disability cases under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) often spark debate, and frustration. While a 25% contingency...
A Lesson in Explaining Residual Functional Capacity
We all know the importance of a well-reasoned residual functional capacity (RFC) determination. But what happens when an ALJ makes a...
Partial Remands and Finality: Fallon v. Dudek
Fallon v. Dudek  (April 24, 2025) offers a critical lesson in timing, appellate strategy, and how courts treat previously decided issues...
A Deep Dive into Mental Disorder Evaluation in Disability Claims
Crump, diagnosed with severe mental health disorders including bipolar disorder and polysubstance abuse disorder, sought disability...
The History and Importance of Social Security
The Birth of Social Security Let’s rewind to 1935, when Social Security was created as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New...
A Landmark Case in Social Security Disability Law
Let’s take a trip back in time to 1971 for a pivotal case that continues to shape how Social Security disability claims are evaluated...
Common Myths About Social Security​
Many clients approach us with misconceptions about Social Security. Let's debunk some of the most common myths to provide clarity.​ Myth...
The Persistent Fight for a Child’s Disability Benefits
Some Social Security cases require twice the fight, and this was one of them. My client had been struggling for years with developmental...
Children’s Disability Listings:Do They Qualify?
SSA provides specific medical criteria for different childhood disabilities. If a child’s condition meets the requirements of a listing,...
The Third Circuit's Take on Cardiac Listings
The Biswas v. Commissioner of Social Security  case was decided by the Third Circuit in 2024. It offers critical insights for...
Understanding Heart Disease
Heart disease is not only the leading cause of death in the U.S. but also a major reason why many people are unable to work. For those...
Vocational Classifications and Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) EvaluationsÂ
Let’s unpack this recent affirmance from the 11th Circuit on the Micaud v. Acting Commissioner case. This highlights complex issues...
Behind Federal Appeals Process
Let’s dive into a topic we’re frequently asked about: the federal appeal process! A federal appeal is available to claimants who’ve...
When ALJs Get Kids’ Disability Cases Wrong
I have handled kids' disability claims, so I know how critical it is for ALJs to get it right. And even though these cases are not...
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