Supporting Records

Over the last several years, I have discussed how the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) has pressured administrative law judges (“ALJ’s) into adjudicating more cases, and requiring that approvals be supported by more evidence. The result is that Social Security Disability (“SSD”) approval rates have been steadily declining. 

I represent a 39 year old former route sales driver with neck and back problems whose SSD application was approved today without a hearing. The claimant had been waiting a year for a hearing, and had submitted medical tests, records and reports from several physicians that supported the claimant’s application. 

A few days ago, I submitted about 100 pages of updated medical records from the surgeon who had been treating the claimant. The additional records were cumulative in that they did not provide new information about the claimant’s impairments, but corroborated the medical evidence that was already in the file. 

The ALJ’s office called today to advise that the case was being granted on-the-record. As the additional information was cumulative in nature, this is indicative of the type of case that would have been approved much sooner in the past, but now requires additional support to justify approval.