Wes has been practicing law since 2014, primarily working social security disability cases in federal court with attorneys in Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
Thomas A. (Tom) Krause has represented claimants seeking disability benefits for more than 40 years. He worked for 20 years for Legal Services programs in Iowa and Minnesota. Tom also spent 21 years in private practice, primarily handling federal court appeals of disability claims.
Free access to all CLE programs w/active subscription. Annual subscription only $395/yr.
Sign-up for a law firm subscription plan and each attorney in the firm receives free access to all CLE Programs
In this session, we'll examine recent Eighth Circuit decisions shaping disability practice and highlight significant district court rulings that may impact your cases. We will have a special focus on the ALJ's obligation to fully and fairly develop the record by incorporating and evaluating VA ratings decisions and Compensation and Pension examinations. Also, learn how courts are using the logical bridge requirement to demand ALJs clearly connect evidence to conclusions. This session will include an analysis of SSR 24-3p's fundamental legal deficiencies as well.
Key topics to be discussed:
Eligible for up to 1 CLE Credit Hour
This session was originally submitted for CLE as a live, in-person presentation and a live webcast for the 8th Circuit Conference 2025 Conference and may be eligible for self-study credit.
Each state handles self-study credit differently; for questions, please consult your State Bar Association.
Recorded on November 7, 2025
Closed-captioning available
Wes Kappelman | Kappelman Law Firm
Wes has been practicing law since 2014, primarily working social security disability cases in federal court with attorneys in Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Wes’ federal court work includes work on the Davis v. Saul cases out of the Eighth Circuit which were consolidated with Carr v. Saul from the Tenth Circuit and decided by the Supreme Court in 2021.
Thomas A. Krause | National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives
Thomas A. (Tom) Krause has represented claimants seeking disability benefits for more than 40 years. He worked for 20 years for Legal Services programs in Iowa and Minnesota. Tom also spent 21 years in private practice, primarily handling federal court appeals of disability claims. After a year as NOSSCR Litigation Director, he has returned to briefwriting. Tom has been a Sustaining Member of NOSSCR for 30 years and served on the NOSSCR Board for eight years. He has presented at numerous NOSSCR conferences, Eighth Circuit Social Security Disability Law conferences, Legal Aid presentations, and Minnesota State Bar Section meetings.
I. Eighth Circuit and Key District Court Developments in Disability Practice | 10:30am – 10:50am
II. Record-Development Duties: VA Ratings, C&P Exams, and the Logical Bridge Requirement | 10:50am – 11:20am
III. Critical Analysis of SSR 24-3p and Its Legal Deficiencies | 11:0am – 11:45am
Approved for CLE Credits
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.30 General
Approved for CLE Credits
1.25 General
Approved for CLE Credits
1.25 General
Approved for CLE Credits
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Approved for CLE Credits
1.25 General
No MCLE Required
1.25 CLE Hour(s)
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Approved via Attorney Submission
1.5 General Hours
Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General
Approved for CLE Credits
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 Substantive
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
No MCLE Required
1.25 CLE Hour(s)
No MCLE Required
1.25 CLE Hour(s)
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
No MCLE Required
1.25 CLE Hour(s)
Approved for Self-Study Credits
1.25 General
Approved for Self-Study Credits
1.5 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Approved for CLE Credits
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Approved for CLE Credits
75 General minutes
Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General
Approved for Self-Study Credits
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Approved for Self-Study Credits
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
No MCLE Required
1.25 CLE Hour(s)
Approved for Self-Study Credits
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
Not Eligible
1.25 General Hours
Approved for CLE Credits
1.25 General
Approved via Attorney Submission
1.25 Law & Legal Hours
Approved for Self-Study Credits
1.5 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General
Pending CLE Approval
1.25 General
only $395 yearly
only $395 yearly