OTRs

Most times, a request for an on-the-record (“OTR”) decision is not considered until a couple of days before a hearing is scheduled to take place. Nonetheless, an OTR should still be pursued because it avoids the stress a claimant experiences when having to attend the hearing with an ALJ. Also, ALJs appreciate OTRs because they allow ALJs to devote more time to more complicated claims.

We represent a 57 year old security guard from Jamaica, who stopped working due to pain from various musculoskeletal impairments. The State agency medical consultants found the severity of the claimant’s pain to be credible. However, those consultants denied Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits twice because the claimant had no doctor providing functional limitations.

Since the claimant had to stop working because of pain, we referred the claimant to a pain management specialist, who supplied the requisite opinion. Based on that opinion, we submitted a brief explaining why the medical and vocational evidence in the file supported finding the claimant disabled under the Social Security rules and regulations. The ALJ agreed.

Retaining a disability attorney who has years of experience handling SSD claims is in your best interest. We have an encyclopedic of knowledge of the ins and outs of the SSA, from the initial application with the local office, to working with the State agency, the ALJ’s, and if necessary, the Appeals Council and Federal Court. If you want to greatly increase your chances of receiving a favorable outcome to your SSD claim, please contact our Melville, Long Island office for a free phone consultation.