Social Security disability law is all we do
1-888-477-8080 | 1-303-377-1300
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Disability Tips
    • Tips For Applying
    • Advice For Appealing
    • SSD And SSDI Eligibility Requirements
    • How the SSA Evaluates Symptoms
    • Vocational Medical Expert Testimony
    • Describe Your Daily Activities
  • Testimonials
  • Serving the State of Colorado
    Learn More

Vocational and Medical Expert Testimony

The purpose of a Social Security disability benefits hearing is to determine whether the claimant is disabled to the extent that he or she can no longer work. Thus, it stands to reason that the administrative judge will need to hear sworn testimony from both an expert in the claimant’s particular medical condition as well as an expert on certain vocations and whether the claimant would be physically and mentally able to perform the tasks inherent in the job. Your Denver Social Security disability attorney will advise you as to who will make the best expert witness in your case and will explain the type of testimony the judge will likely elicit from these individuals.

Vocational and medical experts may appear in person or via teleconference. It is much more common for a vocational expert to appear in a hearing as 60% of hearings rely on this type of testimony. Medical testimony is elicited in fewer than 20% of hearings. Unlike a worker’s compensation or personal injury action, experts are not permitted to take sides. The expert is expected to render his or her opinion with regard to the claimant’s issues and may not show bias or favoritism.

Vocational experts can be both helpful and detrimental to your case, depending on the situation. Many vocational experts are expected to testify outside their area of expertise and at the edge of their knowledge. These experts are commonly asked to opine as to the claimant’s likely ability to perform certain job functions while disabled as well as how many jobs exist in the community for a person of similar limitations to the claimant.

Your Denver Social Security disability attorney will be able to counter unfavorable testimony from a vocational expert by presenting evidence of your residential functional capacity (RFC). This term refers to the claimant’s ability to function despite the disability. Your attorney will explain to the judge his or her position that the vocational expert errantly “drew the line” of disability to the detriment of the disabled person.

Your Denver Social Security disability attorney will help you interpret the judge’s findings, which are typically rendered at the conclusion of the hearing or shortly thereafter. If you would like further assistance in your upcoming Social Security disability hearing, contact experienced Disability attorneys, Radosevich & Dixon today.

[Read More]
  • FREE CLAIM EVALUATION

    Please answer the questions below if you would like a free, no-obligation review of your Social Security disability situation.

    Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

We appreciate your feedback:

Write A Review

13 Suggestions for Disability Claimants

DOWNLOAD PDF

FREE E-BOOKLET AND TIPS

Helpful Suggestions for Appealing a Denial of Benefits

ebook

More info

I respect your privacy.

Paul E. Radosevich
Laura A. Dixon
Denver disability lawyers

Radosevich & Dixon
1621 York Street
Denver, Colorado 80206

Email

Toll Free: 1-888-477-8080
Phone: 303-377-1300
Fax: 303-377-2012

Social Security Disability Resources

  • Frequently asked questions
    • Should I apply for disability?
    • How long does the disability process take?
    • When should I apply for benefits?
    • Should I use an attorney to help me apply?
    • When do you suggest I hire a lawyer?
    • What does a disability attorney do?
    • How much will representation cost?
    • When am I likely to receive a hearing?
    • What are disability hearings like?
    • What happens if my disability appeal is late?
    • What is the most common disability mistake?
  • Your disability hearing
    • Advice for your Social Security disability hearing
    • Answers to 14 common questions
    • The Hearing
    • Your Testimony
    • Lay Witnesses
    • Vocational Issues
  • The Disability Evaluation Process
    • Answers to 9 common questions
    • Examples of who Is and is not disabled
    • The sequential evaluation process
    • The role of the treating doctor
    • A large bureaucracy
    • Glossary
  • Applying for disability benefits when you have:
    • Anxiety disorders
    • Arthritis & Joint damage
    • Asthma
    • Back injuries
    • Complex regional pain
    • Congestive heart failure
    • Chronic fatigue
    • Crohn’s disease
    • Cystic fibrosis
    • Depression/bipolar disorder
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Hearing impairment
    • Hepatitis C & liver diseases
    • HIV
    • Ischemic heart disease
    • Leukemia
    • Lung disease
    • Lupus
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Schizophrenia
    • Soft tissue injuries
    • Stroke
  • Disability Appeals
    • The appeal process
    • Good cause for late appeals
  • After a favorable decision
    • Answers to 25 questions
    • Delayed benefits
    • Questions about working part-time
    • Continuing disability reviews
  • Legal issues
    • Alcohol or drug addiction
    • Borderline age
    • Chemical sensitivity and environmental illness
    • Chronic fatigue syndrome
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Illiteracy
    • Inability to afford treatment
    • Inability to speak English
    • Inability to stoop
    • Lupus
    • Manipulative limitations
    • Severe impairment definition
    • Subjective pain complaints
    • Worn-out worker regulation
  • Disability Forms
    • Employment questionnaire
    • Monthly headache diary
    • Monthly wage information
    • Activities questionnaire
  • Testimonials

Areas Served: From our office in Denver, we serve Colorado Social Security disability applicants throughout the state, including residents of these cities: Applewood, Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Commerce City, Denver, Englewood, Federal Heights, Fort Collins, Greenwood Village, Lakewood, Littleton, Northglenn, Sherrelwood, Thornton, Welby, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge.

Copyright @ 2018 Disabilitylawyerdenver. All Rights Reserved • Privacy Policy

Website & Marketing Solutions by