VETERANS DISABILITY OF HUNTSVILLE

WHAT IS SSDI?   SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance. Since 1956, the US government has required most workers to contribute to a mandatory disability insurance plan administered by the Social Security Administration.  Workers contribute approximately 7.5% of their income (listed as FICA tax on your pay stub) and employers match that amount.  The money goes into a trust account under each worker's Social Security number. A worker must accumulate a certain number of "quarters of coverage" based on payroll deductions to be covered by Social Security (SSDI). Then, if a disability occurs, the worker can apply for disability benefits.  If the worker can meet the medical definition of "disability," benefits will be paid. What Are Basic Medical Requirements for Disability?   Assuming a person has worked long enough and recently enough to be covered, here are the basic rules for getting SSDI benefits: at least 1 severe impairment that is ...

VA DISABILITY RATINGS ARE NOT BINDING ON SOCIAL SECURITY During the last decade, I have had the privilege of representing dozens of disabled veterans in getting their Social Security benefits.  My success rate has been near 100 percent in these cases.   However, VA disability ratings are not binding on the Social Security Administration.  The VA may issue a 90 or 100 percent disability rating and Social Security can still deny benefits. The regulations governing VA benefits are different from those controlling Social Security disability benefits.  The evidence required by Social Security is also different, as are the procedures.  The key to winning Social Security disability is to prove the case according to their rules . Finally, I notice that Social Security initially denies most claims filed by disabled veterans.  I believe that's because the decision making process is flawed at the initial or application level.  However,...