Tucson Social Security Disability Blog

Why Do I Need To See Another SSA Doctor Even After My Hearing?

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It sometimes happens that even after your hearing, a judge will still not be certain if you are disabled. When this occurs, the judge may send you to see another doctor. The purpose of this additional medical appointment is to allow a doctor to assess your current status.

If Your Last Medical Report Is Out Of Date, A New One Can Be Necessary

Not surprisingly, this is happening more often. One reason for this increase is that Social Security’s medical information in your file can be out of date by the time you see a judge. When you first apply for disability benefits, Social Security is likely to ask one of their doctors to examine you. This doctor’s report will factor into the way in which Social Security denies you.  After you appeal this denial and ask to see a judge whole years can go by while you wait.  During that time, your health may continue to worsen. You could, for example, develop new conditions that the Social Security doctor did not know about.  You could also age into a new category, meaning that the doctor’s findings have a different application. 

doctor
Dear Judge . . . . .

Your Lawyer Can Argue About The Doctor’s Opinions

If a judge decides you need to see another doctor, he will ask Social Security to arrange it.  They usually move pretty fast.  Your medical appointment is likely to be within a month of when you see the judge.  After the doctor examines you, she will report back to the judge. Your lawyer will also get a copy of the doctor’s report. Unless the doctor’s findings are clearly in your favor, your lawyer is likely to prepare a response. The response will argue in your favor about what the doctor determined.

Remember To Ask For Another Hearing

It is important to note that you are entitled to another hearing to discuss the doctor’s findings. If you ask for another hearing, the judge has to hold it.  This can take time to schedule. While you wait you can ask your own doctor to comment on the Social Security doctor’s findings. Bear in mind that the judge is supposed to give controlling weight to what your own doctor says about you.

The Critical Importance Of This Doctor’s Opinions

This Really, Really Matters

For a lot of judges, the report of the doctor you see after the hearing is the final word.  It is as if this one report replaces everything else in the file.  It is obviously very important to attend the appointment. It is also critical to cooperate with the Social Security doctor so that she may prepare a thorough analysis of your condition.

If you have questions about this or anything else, please call or text.

Hearing scheduled? Call Today.

If Social Security has scheduled your disability case to be heard by one of their judges, call me immediately. Unlike many large law firms, I can move quickly to get your case ready to be won.

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About The Author

Since 1992, I have been helping the people of Southern Arizona get the benefits they are due. Before devoting all my efforts to assisting people with Social Security disability claims, I also handled such complex lawsuits as medical malpractice and products liability. I brought to my Social Security cases all the skills and attention to detail that I developed in the courtroom. I approach each Social Security disability case as if it were a million-dollar lawsuit. For the people trying to get Social Security benefits, their claim is every bit as important. Because I have personally handled so many Social Security cases, I have refined the skills I need to win your case for you. I have helped people win cases for every kind of ailment from arthritis to valley fever. At present, I am focused on helping those persons with neurological and orthopedic disorders. Because claims for people over age fifty bring additional complications, I particularly seek out those cases to work on. I regularly write about back and spine conditions on my blog. I actively seek out the latest information about orthopedic and neurological disorders to ensure I can represent my clients as effectively as possible. Because of my current focus, I regret that I am not able to take any cases for mental disorders. If you are over age fifty and suffer from any orthopedic or neurological disorder, please contact me at once.