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DISABILITY APPLICATIONS: DEALING WITH SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE DDS

The Disability Determination Service (DDS) is located in Birmingham, AL.  This is a state run agency contracted by Social Security to examine disability claims and make the initial decision as to whether a claimant meets the rules for disability benefits.  Here are some of the things DDS typically does with a new claim:

  • Order records from doctors and other medical providers
  • Analyze medical records to determine what conditions/impairments you have
  • Schedule any medical exams that they feel you need
  • Obtain your past work history and classify your past relevant jobs
  • Determine what your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is
  • Decide whether you are eligible for benefits under Social Security rules
  • Deny a majority of claims that they review (About two-thirds of all claims)
Here is why DDS will usually deny a disability claim at the first step:

  1. DDS will usually find other work you are capable of doing, even if it is not your past relevant work.
  2. DDS will nearly always assign you an unreasonable residual functional capacity which does not permit past work but does permit some other work.
  3. DDS will assign more weight to the opinion of their own medical consultant than to the opinion of your treating physician(s)--even though this directly contradicts federal regulations and Social Security policy.
  4. The evaluation system is skewed in favor of denials, obviously evidenced by the fact that over two-thirds of all applications are denied.  (Some applications should be denied but not two-thirds of them).
A key idea that we try to communicate here at the Forsythe Firm is:  A denial by the DDS is not the end of the claims process, it is just the beginning.  We hope for the best but prepare for the worst, realizing that DDS is a denial machine, churning out denials to even well qualified claimants in wholesale numbers.  That's what we're here for.  Contact us as soon as you are denied and we will begin an immediate appeal to the next level, helping to preserve your rights, obtain an approval of your claim and collect the back pay you deserve.

There is no fee for any service we provide unless you win your claim and collect back payments dating back to the date you first became disabled (your alleged onset date or amended onset date).  We are LOCAL Social Security disability advocates, located across from the Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville.  Call us locally at (256) 799-0297 or visit www.ForsytheFirm.com

"Good Representation isn't Expensive.  It's Priceless."

 

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