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Regina Walker Obtains Favorable Decision for Client Without a Hearing

Posted: July 19, 2010

Regina A. Walker, senior associate, obtained a favorable decision without a hearing for her claimant who had a combination of impairments. The adjudicator found that the claimant had some limiting physical problems caused by arthritis of her lumbar spine, knees and hands, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The adjudicator found that despite these impairments the claimant could perform light work. However, the adjudicator also found that she had a learning disorder and an adjustment disorder with anxious mood. As a result of the all the impairments, the adjudicator determined that the claimant was disabled under the Social Security regulations and entitled to disability benefits.

The client was a self-employed cleaner for many years, and she always filed tax returns and paid into social security. Over time she found it increasingly difficult to perform the services that her customers expected in cleaning their homes. She consulted with Ms. Walker about her situation and her inability to continue to work. After speaking with the client and her brothers it was clear to Ms. Walker that the claimant might also have a cognitive and/or mental health disorder and recommended that she obtain a neuropsychological evaluation to provide objective evidence of her cognitive and mental limitations.

Ralph H. B. Benedict, Ph.D., certified neuropsychologist, performed an independent medical evaluation. Dr. Benedict reported that the client could not meet the regular demands of competitive employment. Dr. Benedict found that she had a learning disorder with features of dyslexia and dysexecutive syndrome, adjustment disorder with anxious mood, and possible obsessive personality. Ms. Walker states: “the fact that the claimant followed my advice and obtained the evaluation brought about the favorable outcome without the need to wait for a hearing before an administrative law judge.”

Neuropsychological evaluations can often be a very useful tool when dealing with Social Security claims. They provide objective findings of a claimant’s subjective complaints of cognitive limitations when dealing with medical issues like organic mental disorders, traumatic brain injury, strokes, brain tumors, or multiple sclerosis.

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