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PARTIALLY FAVORABLE DISABILITY DECISIONS

"With Social Security there is no such thing as being "partially disabled."

A "partially favorable" disability decision from Social Security is usually one in which the alleged onset date has been changed or "moved forward," resulting in less back pay than was anticipated.

There is no such thing as being "partly disabled" under Social Security rules.  A person is either disabled or not disabled.  However, the date on which the person became disabled (the onset date) is often questionable.  A partially favorable decision finds that the claimant is indeed disabled and medically eligible for benefits; however, it finds that the disability began at a later date than was alleged by the claimant.  Thus, the back pay has been reduced.  This would have no impact on the amount of the claimant's monthly benefit.  It just reduces the number of months for which back pay is due.

A disputed onset date may be appealed, just like any other Social Security decision with which the claimant disagrees.

There are a number of reasons why an alleged onset date might be changed by a Social Security decision maker.  The top 2 reasons are generally:

1)  The medical evidence does not support the earlier onset date, or

2)  There was substantial work activity or wages after the alleged onset date.

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