Social Security Insider - Latest Comments in How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Lisa Severa — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 00:05:59 -0000

I had My hearing. Today 1/29/18. The judge asked the ve about sedentary mental level 2 work. The ve listed 2 jobs I could do. Childcare and marker 2. I have spinal stenosis radiculopathy major depression. Degenerative disk disease and other conditions. I cannot sit or stand for extended periods without pain. My lawyer did not ask any questions of the ve other than does marker 2 require overhead reaching. I know i cannot do either of those jobs. my lawyer said it will likely be an unfavorable decision. I feel my lawyer didnt adequately represent me. I am stressed anxious depressed and just feel like giving up on life at this point. Do I have any options?

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Ashley Long Juan — Wed, 31 May 2017 20:43:46 -0000

I had a hearing today judge asked if I could do past work very said no then judge asked if there where other jobs he named over few then my lawer cross examined he then stated no what does the outcome usually mean I asked lawer he said he's not really sure what will happen thanks for any help

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

TomaszStasiuk — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 00:10:30 -0000

Talk to your lawyer. That is the best person to give you an assessment of how things look. Anyone else is just guessing.

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

amand — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 16:26:28 -0000

My anxiety was so bad at my hearing yesterday I belive I cryed the whole time will that hurt my case?

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

amand — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 16:23:36 -0000

I just had my court hearing yesterday the the ve answered a few questions for the judge and then at the end my lawyer asked the ve a question was I able to work any of those jobs and the Ve said no employment does this mean that I'm going to be approved? I have papers from my Dr's signed stated that I'm mentally unable to work in the public. I've been diagnosed by the doctor for major depression severe anxiety severe panic attacks borderline intelligence sinus tachycardia SI joint pain psychotic features and the list goes on. Please give me some advice my hearing was 12-22-16 and the judge says my case will stay open till 01-13-17 but didn't say if i was approved and didn't ask about my onset date is that a bad sign?

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

TomaszStasiuk — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 11:42:27 -0000

How did it turn out?

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

TomaszStasiuk — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 11:41:53 -0000

As noted in the post, the judge asks multiple hypotheticals (and each questions can count as a separate one). So, while one hypothetical may eliminate work, another one may not. And there is no way to know which one the judge will use until the decision comes in.

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Denise King — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 13:51:19 -0000

I had my ssi and disbilty dec 13 and the expert say I cant do none of my past jobs but I can do the medium jobs like Secretary job, filing papers. Then the judge say can I do any of those jobs if I am mainly in bed and I will miss alot of work could I do those jobs and the expert say no. DOES my case look good enough to get a favorable decision

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Katie — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 13:34:32 -0000

I had my hearing a few days ago. The judge took testimony from me and my lawyer. There was a vocational expert present by phone. However after I was done testifying and my lawyer made a few remarks the judge ended the hearing and did not ask the vocational expert any questions at all. Is that normal?

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Chuck — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 17:13:05 -0000

I had my hearing today in front of the judge. When my lawyer asked the VE if there were any jobs with the restrictions that my doctor put on me his answer was there were no jobs for me. Does this mean that the judge will rule in favor for me?

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

catfood — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:36:16 -0000

Hi
ALJ hearing June 9 .
Backround is in Meatcutting , a 40 hour job with no part time and no light duty.
I'm 60 years old and finished 11th grade,
After working in pain from vascular issues and varicose veins in both legs that
are on the verge of ulceration , I was told in 2012 to either leave my job or they would terminate me, I just couldn't stand up for more than an hour anymore,
I applied to SS , They sent me to one of their vascular/cardiologist , His report
stated I couldn't stand up for more than 2 hours a day. And yet they denied my claim
and my appeal,
I filed for an ALJ hearing and obtained and attorney.
My vascular dr did more ultra sound studies and recommended 4 procedures and 2 surgery's, But told me most of that would be cosmetic and these things never really go away.
At this point my ankles are turning black and parts of my legs and feet , I'm up with cramps 3-4 nights a week , I can't stand for 20 minutes , but can't sit for long either,
Do I have a chance?

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

TOP — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 22:57:58 -0000

I had a case when the ALJ, ask the vocational witness is there any jobs for the claimant. The vocational expert said, 'NO JOBS' for the claimant. It was about 8 weeks later before I got my final decision from
the ALJ. I got denied, I fail on the ground with sadness. SO be ready for the good and the BAD......GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

tim — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:00:52 -0000

i had my hearing today. the medical expert said I can not do any work do to my heart conditions, the mental sai I could so simple task. and the v.e. said that there is no job cause from my previous hospital stays i would miss to much work the judge ask me no questions at all, And the lawyer did not say to much. sounds good to me

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Savvy — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:41:49 -0000

I received my fully favorable approval letter on Nov. 10, 2014. That is a relief. Now I just have to wait for my back pay and regular payments to come in. I wish it would be soon because we are behind on our mortgage and scrapping together pennies just to buy food.

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

TomaszStasiuk — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:48:50 -0000

From what you describe, it sounds good. The judge's low approval percentage is a potential issue, but the judge's limited questions and no questions asked of the VE sound good.

However, keep in mind that the best person to give you an appraisal of how things look is the person was there with you. Your lawyer knows the file and was there for the hearing. Anyone else is just Monday morning quarter-backing (without having even seen the game).

Good luck Savvy!

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Savvy — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:06:08 -0000

It's been a while since I posted this. Does anyone have any input or answer to my question?

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Savvy — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 11:12:00 -0000

I had my ODAR hearing on 09/16/2014. My lawyer told me from the beginning I had a strong case. I was 51 at the time I stopped working and have both physical and mental disorders that affect my ability to work. They include but are not limited to: Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, PTSD, COPD, Severe Sleep Apnea, Arthritis, Carpal & Cubital Tunnel. I had both sedentary and physical jobs in the past 15 years and have an accounting degree. My lawyer stated that while my physical conditions may qualify me for benefits the mental by far was the strongest part of my case. A VE was at the hearing but the ALJ didn't ask her a single question. The ALJ's questions to me seemed to basically confirm what I had stated in my questionnaires and my medical records. I have a very consistent medical history for all the disabilities I listed. This ALJ has a record of only 29% approvals compared to around 49% for most of the others in this area. My lawyer stated that the fact that she didn't ask the VE one question was a good sign and that he was 95% sure I was going to be approved. He only practices disability law and has a good reputation in the area but I'm still worried. I'd just like to get others opinions regarding the way the hearing went.

Does anyone have an answer to my question?

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

TomaszStasiuk — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 15:11:08 -0000

Sometimes a judge short-cuts a case because it is clear it should be approved. There are limited questions of the claimant (the applicant) and the judge goes almost immediately to ask the VE one or two questions that are going to eliminate all work. When that happens, it is usually a very good sign. However, everything depends on each case's individual circumstances.

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Joe Pinter — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 16:22:04 -0000

I would say if you get a answer within 90 days? you will be approved

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Mike D — Wed, 07 May 2014 20:28:42 -0000

My original file date was October 2012 which seems like a long time ago but the next couple of weeks will be excruciatingly looong!!

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Mike D — Wed, 07 May 2014 20:25:53 -0000

May 6th 2014 I had my hearing w/ an att. First Il start with why I am filing for Social Security disability, I have spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, osteochondritis, a grade one and two spine and overall bone disease which is for the majority all juvenile and long term depression and I am 41 years old.. My hearing was yesterday with my attorney the vocational expert said there is absolutely no job in any market that I could do.. Which my attorney worked very hard to make clear to the judge by asking the VE three times to explain what he meant by there is no job in any market I could do.. Obviously I know that is a good thing but could I still be denied disability?? I also on the advice of the psychologist the state sent me two contacted my congressman and he said he would help by doing whatever it is they do. It was Congressman Aaron Schock I contacted and he said he would be happy to help after I sent the hipa form to him, which I did..

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Jean Marie Davis — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 14:05:05 -0000

yes we have been working with a disability attorney and they just turn him down again and his heart doctor has not even talk him about going back to work and now there telling him that he can do what they call light work and what companies have what they call light work I am just getting so tired of the whole thing what is going to take him dropping dead or us losing a place to live because we can't afford to pay for rent and for lights or even basic cable or even a phone

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

molina — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 23:56:17 -0000

hi. please help me understand. the ve at my hearing was given two intial questions regarding my mental limits. she said I could be a packer or assembler. but after the judge asked about five questions from my physical rfc those jobs were ruled out. my original file did not even have a rfc and ssa used their people to assess me saying I could do medium work. but now that I have a doctor's rfc the judge referred to it. I looked at my file and saw that the dds used one apt date out of many to make his decision. and it happened to be the one where I was feeling a little better. but this was put as the physical concluding reason. now with an actual rfc does that make it better. my doc has been seeing me for three years and I have three other docs also.

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

TomaszStasiuk — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:07:29 -0000

It sounds like your husband had a number of disabling conditions. However, after 4 years, Social Security clearly has a problem with his claim. Have you been working with a disability attorney to figure out why he keeps getting denied and try to address it?

Re: How to Deal With the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Hearing

Jean Marie Davis — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:30:28 -0000

My husband has been trying for almost for four years to get his social security disability he first went out on a Bi-polar Disorder with underline rage and in 2011 they found out that he has a heart problem and he had open heart surecy in January of 2012 and also had to have a pacemaker and they are telling that he can find a job as a dishwasher a packer and washing trucks and we live in the state of Pennsylvania