DEALING WITH THE DISABILITY DETERMINATION SERVICE (DDS)

The Disability Determination Service (DDS) is located in Birmingham, AL.  This is a state run agency contracted by Social Security to examine disability claims and make the initial decision as to whether a claimant meets the rules for disability benefits.  Here are some of the things DDS typically does with a new claim:

• Order records from doctors and other medical providers
• Analyze medical records to determine what conditions/impairments you have
• Schedule any medical exams that they feel you need
• Obtain your past work history and classify your past relevant jobs
• Determine what your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is
• Decide whether you are eligible for benefits under Social Security rules
• Deny a majority of claims that they review (About two-thirds of all claims)

WHY THE DDS IS LIKELY TO DENY YOUR DISABILITY CLAIM:

1. Their track record is a denial rate of over two-thirds.  It speaks for itself.
2.  DDS will likely decide that you can perform some "other work," even if you are not able to perform past relevant jobs (A Step 5 Denial).
3. DDS will nearly always establish a "Residual Functional Capacity" that is unrealistic for you and which permits you to still perform some type of work.

A key idea that we try to communicate here at the Forsythe Firm is:  A denial by the DDS is not the end of the claims process, it is just the beginning.  We hope for the best but prepare for the worst, realizing that DDS is a denial machine, churning out denials to even well qualified claimants in wholesale numbers.  That's what we're here for.  Contact us as soon as you are denied and we will begin an immediate appeal to the next level, helping to preserve your rights, obtain an approval of your claim and collect the back pay you deserve.

There is no fee for any service we provide unless you win your claim and collect back payments dating back to the date you first became disabled (your alleged onset date or amended onset date).  We are LOCAL Social Security disability advocates, located across from the Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville.  Call us locally at (256) 799-0297 or visit www.ForsytheFirm.com