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Morrow v. Bisignano: Credibility and Medical Opinion Review
In Morrow v. Bisignano , the Ninth Circuit affirmed the ALJ’s denial of disability benefits, but the opinion offers a lot for disability...
ALJ Discretion & Mental Health RFC Limits
What attorneys should note when mental health, RFC, and treating opinions collide. In Taylor v. Commissioner , the Third Circuit upheld...
Jones v. Commissioner of Social Security.
On November 6, 2023, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the ALJ’s decision in Jones v. Commissioner of Social Security. Let’s dive in… Jones...
Ninth Circuit Upholds ALJ in Disability Case
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an important decision in Higgins v. Kijakazi (Nov. 2, 2023), reinforcing the standards that...
11th Circuit Remand in Wheeler Reinforces SSR 96‑8p Requirements
⚖️ The Critical Issue in Wheeler Omitted moderate limitations : Dr. Austin, a consulting psychologist, identified moderate restrictions...
9th Circuit Affirms SSD Denial in Rose v. King: Key Disability Law Insights
Rose applied for SSDI and SSI, citing bipolar disorder and other mental health impairments. The ALJ denied the claim, the district court...
Ninth Circuit Remands Fibromyalgia SSDI Denial
In Lynnae , the Ninth Circuit reversed a denial of Social Security benefits and remanded the case due to several fundamental errors in...
Revisiting Adame v. Apfel: A Key PTSD SSDI Case
This older case offers important lessons for anyone handling Social Security disability applications involving PTSD, especially with...
Ninth Circuit's SSDI Denial Reaffirmed
On May 21, 2025, the Ninth Circuit upheld the denial of SSDI benefits in Severns v. Bisignano (No. 24 4644). Severns applied for SSDI...
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...
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