For many years I have written briefs for judges prior to hearings on disability claims. Since I have started writing short briefs for disability examiners at the initial or reconsideration level, I have won many more cases at the DDS levels of review.
I write short, one or two-page letters to the disability examiners, setting forth my theory of the case. The letter briefly describes the claimants limitations, cites the medical evidence, and then makes the vocational analysis based upon the claimant’s limitations, age, and work history.
There has been a significant amount of turnover at the state agencies that make determinations on Social Security disability claims. As a result, a number of examiners do not have extensive experience. A letter analyzing the claim can be a big help.
The letter is particularly helpful regarding the vocational evidence, which goes to the heart of what the disability examiner must analyze when making a determination. At Reconsideration, I often find myself pointing out the errors in the vocational analysis that was done at the initial level.
Call and write your disability examiner. You will get more favorable determinations due to that increased communication.