Recently, Disability Law Group helped a woman from Redford, Michigan, to obtain Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits after a long career in school administration. The woman had struggled with osteoarthritis (“OA”) for many years and, for the past several years, had only been able to carry out her job duties with the support and assistance of her co-workers and adoring students.

However, as her OA worsened, even the helping hands she received were no longer enough, and the client realized she could no longer maintain any full-time employment. At the same time, the claimant tragically lost her husband to illness, who had provided her with immeasurable love and support. The claimant felt alone, anguished, and continued to have severe and constant joint pain throughout her body.

Disability Law Group provided the client with empathy, support, and diligent representation to apply and win her disability benefits. All of her medical records were obtained, as well as supportive statements from her treating doctors and mental health providers, and attorney Jordan Leff guided the client through the process every step of the way.

When a hearing was scheduled before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”), Mr. Leff prepared and filed a detailed legal brief, setting out the client’s treatment history, and explaining how the symptoms of her OA prevented her from sustaining any full-time employment existing in the national economy.

At the hearing, Mr. Leff led the client through a series of questions to provide further direct evidence to the ALJ as to the pain, stiffness, and discomfort she experiences on a daily basis, and how it creates severe work-related limitations. The ALJ ultimately agreed, rapidly producing a Fully Favorable decision!

Achieving 100% Permanent and Total Disability Rating for a Veteran

In a significant victory for our client, Disability Law Group successfully secured a 100% Permanent and Total disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after a prolonged five-year appeals process. This achievement underscores the dedication and expertise of our team, particularly in navigating complex VA procedures and leveraging recent policy developments to the client’s advantage.

Our client, a dedicated veteran, initiated his claim for disability benefits in August 2019. Despite the severity of his condition, his initial Rating Decision in 2019 granted only a 10% rating, with his PTSD claim being outright denied. This insufficient rating failed to recognize the full extent of his disabilities.

When our client sought assistance from Disability Law Group in November 2022, the deadline for appealing the 2019 Rating Decision had long passed. Under normal circumstances, this would have resulted in a forfeiture of his right to appeal and the need to file a new claim, potentially losing years of retroactive benefits.

Attorney Jason Pearson, renowned for his meticulous attention to VA processes and recent policy updates, identified a critical opportunity. Recognizing the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on veterans’ ability to meet deadlines, he invoked a special provision allowing for an extension of the appeal period for good cause.

Jason meticulously prepared a request, presenting compelling evidence of how the pandemic had directly affected our client’s ability to meet the initial deadline. His argument highlighted not only the disruptions caused by COVID-19 but also the client’s persistent efforts to comply with VA requirements amidst these challenges.

In addition to addressing procedural hurdles, Jason Pearson engaged with appropriate medical professionals to obtain the necessary medical evidence to support the veteran’s claims. This included securing a private medical evaluation that conclusively demonstrated the client’s entitlement to a 100% rating for PTSD. This medical nexus opinion was crucial in establishing the service connection required for the claim.

In January 2024, the VA granted the veteran service connection for PTSD at the 70% rate, with an effective date of December 2023. While this was a step in the right direction, it did not fully reflect the severity of the client’s condition or acknowledge the initial filing date.

Attorney Jason Pearson immediately filed another appeal for a Higher-Level Review. He engaged directly with a Decision Review Officer, meticulously pointing out the evidence supporting a higher rating and an earlier effective date. Jason’s thorough presentation and advocacy were instrumental in highlighting the veteran’s long-standing entitlement.

In March 2024, the VA granted the veteran a 100% rating for PTSD, with an effective date retroactively set to August 2019, when the veteran’s claim was first initiated. This decision not only recognized the full extent of the client’s disability but also secured significant retroactive benefits.

This outcome ensures that our client receives the full spectrum of benefits he is entitled to, significantly improving his quality of life. The retroactive benefits dating back to August 2019 provide financial stability and peace of mind after years of uncertainty and hardship.

This case exemplifies the importance of staying abreast of policy changes and the impact of expert legal representation in the realm of veterans’ disability law. At Disability Law Group, we are committed to fighting for the rights of our clients, ensuring they receive the benefits they deserve, no matter how complex or prolonged the journey may be.

If you or a loved one are facing challenges with a VA disability claim, our experienced attorneys are here to help. Contact Disability Law Group to ensure your rights are protected and to secure the benefits you have earned through your service.

Overcoming Adversity through Dedicated Support and Legal Advocacy

In March 2022, our office received a call from a young man, age 30, the claimant, and his mother, seeking assistance with his claim for Social Security Disability benefits. The claimant had previously worked as an engineer and made significant earnings in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, a very traumatic event occurred in the claimant’s life, sparking a series of severe mental health disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. The claimant’s mother eventually became his power of attorney. The claimant tried to work and even go back to school to continue his education but was unable to keep up with the demands of school or work due to his impairments.

Our office immediately recognized the severity of his conditions and how much of an impact it had on his life and the life of his family. Prior to seeking representation at our office, he had applied for benefits on his own and was denied at the Initial Application level. Attorney Farrah Abona from our office took over the case and appealed it to the Hearing Level. Once at the hearing level, his case was assigned to an Administrative Law Judge at the Livonia Hearing Office.

Now at the hearing level, Farrah carefully drafted a brief on his behalf and made a Listing Argument (12.03, Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders) and cited each and every instance documented in the medical records that would fall under this Listing, including delusions and hallucinations, disorganized thinking and speech, and difficulties in adapting or managing oneself. Additionally, we made the argument that the claimant could not perform the demands of his past work or other full-time work at any level. Furthermore, we detailed how his limitations were so severe that he required significant help from his mother to address his most basic needs. The Administrative Law Judge agreed with our position and issued a Fully Favorable Decision, granting the claimant social security disability benefits going back to 2020, totaling over $95,000. Furthermore, with the benefits going back over two years, our client was immediately entitled to Medicare benefits.

Our attorneys and staff specialize in disability benefits, and we will fight to help you win every benefit you deserve. We provide free consultations to better understand your case and provide you knowledge as to your rights and the benefits you may be entitled to. Whether you have a mental health condition, other conditions, or a combination of impairments, we can help you understand your options and win the benefits you deserve. Contact us today for a consultation.

Disability Law Group recently assisted a 47-year-old man who faced a myriad of challenges due to severe back and hip pain, compounded by mental health issues, including depression. Despite his struggles, he was denied benefits multiple times, plunging him into extreme hardship and eventual homelessness. For this claimant, each day was a battle against excruciating physical pain and overwhelming mental anguish. His inability to work worsened his financial situation, leaving him unable to afford proper medical care or a stable living environment. Denied access to essential benefits, he found himself in a state of hopelessness.

Enter Disability Law Group. Recognizing the urgency of his situation, the dedicated team at DLG tirelessly fought to bring his case to the forefront. With unwavering determination, they navigated the complexities of the legal system, advocating fiercely on his behalf. After numerous setbacks and hurdles, the case finally reached a judge. Through the relentless efforts of DLG Law Firm, his plea for assistance was heard and understood. Recognizing the severity of his conditions and the impact on his life, the judge ruled in John’s favor, granting him the benefits he so desperately needed. For our claimant, this ruling was more than just a legal victory—it was a lifeline. With the support he needed finally within reach, he was able to secure stable housing and access to vital medical treatments. The burden of homelessness lifted, he could now focus on his medical treatments, rebuilding his life, and reclaiming his sense of dignity.

If you or someone you know is suffering from any physical impairments or mental health issues, contact us today for your free consultation. Our attorneys and staff specialize strictly in disability benefits, and we will fight to help you win every benefit you deserve. We will work with you, alongside your doctors, to ensure all necessary evidence is received. You can rely on our team at Disability Law Group from start to finish to provide you with expert advice, compassionate representation, and the benefits you deserve.

Empowering Recovery: A Tale of Triumph in Disability Advocacy

Disability Law Group recently received a decision approving our client’s case for Social Security Disability (‘SSD’) benefits. She is a young woman from Roseville, Michigan, who was involved in a terrible work accident in 2015. For nearly ten years, she struggled with the aftermath of her traumatic brain injury she sustained at work, and was getting no help or benefits from Workers’ Compensation nor Social Security Disability despite trying to apply on her own. Her symptoms included severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, balance issues, neck pain, eye strain, difficulty with word-finding and concentration, memory loss, anxiety, and more.

Traumatic head and brain injuries can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and typically involve many different tests and the collaboration of various specialists. As a result, insurance is critical to help cover testing and treatment, as well as financial and family support to help in the process. She underwent countless neurocognitive, neuro-visual, and other forms of testing to help properly diagnose her conditions stemming from her traumatic brain injury. Despite her serious symptoms lasting for many years, without much relief, she continued to receive a denial for any benefits and financial support, and began to feel helpless and hopeless.

In 2022, she was told by her mental health therapist that she should contact Disability Law Group for help with Social Security Disability benefits. Upon contacting our office, she was met with empathy and support. We got to work right away, helping with all documents, obtaining all medical records, preparing and filing the appeal, and guiding her at each step of the way. Attorney Erika Riggs, a partner at Disability Law Group, represented this client and prepared her for her disability hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (‘ALJ’) in November of 2023.

Prior to the hearing, Ms. Riggs prepared a legal brief, outlining her theory for this case, and how the combination of her client’s health problems since her traumatic brain injury in 2015 would preclude her ability to perform not only her past work, but any other work that exists in the national economy. She carefully summarized the key components of her case, including how her chronic and severe pain, mental and cognitive decline, issues with balance and memory, among others, would preclude her ability to be present at work and maintain the level of concentration and focus required of even unskilled work on a sustained basis since 2015 and through the present. The ALJ agreed and, one month later, we received a decision that read: Fully Favorable!contac

The decision found our client to have been disabled as of November 2015, the date of her traumatic brain injury, and before her work credits expired in 2020, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in back-pay benefits and immediate entitlement to Medicare. This decision was a major victory for this client in many ways, including the insurance she would now be entitled to that provided greater coverage for her treatment to help her on her road to recovery. Not only does she have peace of mind in knowing that she is now financially able to obtain the care she needs and deserves, but she described feeling finally heard as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Whether you’re dealing with a physical, mental, or cognitive health condition, or a combination thereof, you do not have to go through the process alone. At Disability Law Group, disability is all we do, and we will fight alongside you to help win every benefit deserved. Our Disability Attorneys are not only experts in the field of disability law, but we care about each and every client, and putting them in the best position to be awarded benefits. At Disability Law Group, every client matters.

In September 2021, Attorney Randall Mansour spoke to the mother whose son was fighting for Social Security Income (SSI) benefits since June 2017. The claimant, despite being of younger age, was unable to keep jobs for very long due to his mental health conditions and associated symptoms. After hearing her story, it was apparent that her son desperately needed our help but it would be a difficult case to prove disability, as his previous attorney suddenly dropped the case before a remand hearing could be held. In fact, he told the client he did not think there was enough evidence to prove disability.

While developing the case, we specifically requested a Medical Expert be present at this hearing, in hopes that it would increase his chances of getting approved. In this particular case, the treatment notes were massive and encompassed thousands of pages of medical evidence! After a lengthy hearing with the Medical Expert present we were able to obtain a favorable decision for the client. The judge agreed with the medical records on file, our arguments, the testimony from the client and the medical expert’s testimony. Additionally, the Vocational Expert at the hearing testified there were only two jobs the claimant was capable of performing, however attorney Mansour argued the jobs were not feasible, as the numbers were eroded and would not be considered relevant. The Administrative Law Judge agreed and benefits were awarded back to 2017.

If you or someone you know are suffering from any physical impairments or mental health, contact us today for your free consultation. Our attorneys and staff specialize strictly in disability benefits, and we will fight to help you win every benefit you deserve. We will work with you, and alongside your doctors, to ensure all evidence needed is received. You can rely on our team at Disability Law Group from start to finish to provide you with the expert advice and compassionate representation and the benefits you deserve.

In July 2021, Disability Law Group received a call from an individual, age 53, seeking disability benefits due to ovarian cancer and benign brain tumors. After surgery and extensive chemotherapy, she was in remission, yet still unable to work due to having surgery and radiation for the brain tumors. She was denied by Social Security at the Initial Application Level and the Reconsideration Level. We immediately filed a Request for Hearing on her behalf to have the case heard in front of an Administrative Law Judge. Our team kept in close contact with the claimant throughout the process.

Attorney Terri Weishaus quickly realized that the client’s paid medical leave from her employer and utilizing her paid time off was likely appearing as though she had continued to work full-time after applying for disability, which was the main reason for her denials. After several phone calls and a review of her banking statements, Attorney Weishaus was able to determine what pay was for work performed and what wasn’t. In addition to having significant surgeries, chemotherapy, and other severe contributing medical issues for several years, the client was currently undergoing radiation multiple times a week and had to wade through years of banking statements to support when she was not working yet still receiving pay. The case became even more complicated as the medical records provided didn’t clearly show all of her treatments that consumed the last two years of her life.

Attorney Weishaus carefully drafted a brief detailing her extensive treatment, persisting debilitating symptoms, and explaining what income was from her working as opposed to vacation pay or paid medical leave. The Administrative Law Judge agreed with our position and issued a fully favorable decision during the hearing, granting her Social Security disability benefits going back to spring 2021, which also allowed our client to receive the needed Medicare Insurance coverage.

If you or someone you know are in need of assistance for their Social Security case, please contact us today for your free consultation.

This veteran sought help from Disability Law Group after receiving a denial in January 2020 for the service connection of both knees. His military journey began in December 1963 when he was drafted into the Army. Before the tragic assassination of President Kennedy, he had been rejected by the draft board due to a right-knee condition. However, following the assassination, the Army reconsidered and enlisted him as a truck driver, a role that required frequent climbing in and out of the truck cab and bed during loading and unloading.

While he experienced some knee pain before being drafted, it significantly worsened during his service. The pain increased, causing instability, and he resorted to wearing an ace bandage. His limp became the subject of jokes among fellow service members, and the knee pain and limping persisted. Eventually, he started experiencing pain in his left knee, leading to surgeries on both knees.

In 2019, he filed a claim for service connection of bilateral knee conditions, which the VA denied with minimal investigation. Over the next year, finding legal assistance became a challenge due to office closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. It wasn’t until February 2022 that he reached out to Disability Law Group.

Our attorney, Jason Pearson, deeply knowledgeable about the latest VA regulations, began working on the veteran’s case. It was during this process that Jason initiated a Higher-Level Review of the 2020 denial, seeking understanding for the delayed filing due to pandemic-related disruptions. The VA responded by granting the request and arranging an informal conference. In this conference, Jason advocated that the evidence strongly supported a service connection due to the aggravation of a preexisting injury. The VA Decision Review Officer concurred, recognizing a Duty to Assist Error and subsequently ordering a new VA examination.

The veteran attended the VA examination, where the examiner submitted a medical opinion suggesting that the knee conditions were less likely than not caused or aggravated by military service. Consequently, the VA issued another Rating Decision, denying the veteran’s claims.

Upon reviewing the evidence in the case, attorney Jason Pearson identified the missing evidence, devised a plan to obtain it, and filed a Supplemental Claim with the new information. The VA then ordered a new medical examination, during which the examiner agreed that the right knee was aggravated by service, and the left-knee condition was caused as a secondary effect of the right knee. As a result, the VA granted a 30% rating for the right knee, 20% for the left knee, and 10% for each of the two painful surgical scars on the knees.

However, the VA assigned an effective date for these claims of February 25, 2022 – the date of the Higher-Level Review filing. We filed another Higher-Level Review, requesting an earlier effective date back to the initial claim filing date of December 12, 2019. In a subsequent conference with the VA, Jason argued that the earlier effective date should be granted due to the continuous pursuit of the claim since its initial filing.

In August 2023, the VA issued a decision agreeing with Jason’s arguments and granting the earlier effective date, retroactively to December 2019. This date holds significant importance, particularly because one of the veteran’s knee replacements occurred a few months after he filed the initial claim. Consequently, the earlier effective date also provided back pay related to the temporary 100% disability rating that comes with a knee replacement, resulting in additional compensation for this veteran.

If your VA disability claims have been denied, don’t lose hope! This veteran is grateful for persevering. If you have questions about VA disability appeals, please contact us today.