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The Ninth Circuit has once again clarified an essential principle in disability law: Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) must explain their changes in findings. In Gageby v. Dudek, the Court reversed and remanded after an ALJ downgraded a claimant’s concentration, persistence, and pace (CPP) rating without any explanation. Case Background: What Happened The ALJ initially found moderate CPP limitations. After the district court remanded the case to consider Dr. Campion’s opinion,

When someone you love dies, grief hits hard enough. But imagine adding legal chaos, confusing paperwork, and no one to guide you through it all. That’s the reality for thousands of families every year who are left to navigate a messy and expensive process without support. In this article, you’ll read real stories of families who faced this struggle, the challenges they encountered, and why having the right lawyer as a trusted advisor can make all the difference for your loved

Another day, another uphill climb for Social Security disability claimants. The Tenth Circuit recently issued another affirmance — this time in Fager v. Commissioner of Social Security , upholding the denial of SSI benefits. The opinion runs 21 pages, so let’s break down the key takeaways. Background Fager, a former legal secretary and housekeeper with a degree in anthropology, applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2017. She alleged disability due to: Back injurie

Swanson applied for disability insurance benefits alleging chronic pain and mobility problems. The case had already been remanded once....

A standard initial consultation with an estate planning lawyer often looks like this: you meet briefly, answer questions about your...

The Eleventh Circuit’s recent opinion in Dubose v. Commissioner of Social Security offers a valuable refresher on three recurring...

If you’re like most people, you assume that when the time comes, someone—your spouse, children, or a close friend—will step in to care...

Every disability appeal has two moving parts : The law (statutes, regulations, case precedent) The record (medical evidence, testimony,...

Running a business takes grit, determination, and countless hours of work. You’ve poured yourself into building something valuable—not...

Fibromyalgia continues to challenge both claimants and adjudicators in Social Security disability law. The Seventh Circuit’s recent...

Grief isn’t scheduled. It appears in unexpected moments and in subtle ways that shift your entire being: Emotional fluctuations — You may...

Madkins, a machine operator, suffered back problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, and depression after a work injury. He applied for Social...

When you launched your business, your focus was likely on growth, clients, and revenue. That’s natural—those are the things that keep the...

On October 29, 2024 , the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the denial of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for a young...

How Meal Planning Reveals Your Values Meal planning shows more than what’s for dinner—it reveals your relationship with time, money, and...

The case of Green v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration (2018) is a powerful reminder of how Veterans’ disability ratings...

Most entrepreneurs have a love-hate relationship with networking. You know you need it to grow your business, but traditional...

In December 2024, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals decided a case called Schmitz v. Colvin . The case involved a 52-year-old woman...

A client once told me she would give anything to hear her grandmother’s voice again. Her grandmother had been the heart of the family—the...