The Fly on the Wall: A Decision Writer’s Advice to the Representative (Presented by the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Learn why returning calls from decision writers is crucial for case outcomes. These conversations offer unique opportunities to discuss your case with someone who knows it intimately and may result in favorable decisions or clarifications that benefit your client.

Understand the three critical elements of past relevant work evaluation: recency within five years of alleged onset date, earnings documentation, and job duration. Representatives will learn how to properly document gig work and address jobs that straddle the five-year window.

Explore how SSR 16-3p governs symptom evaluation when determining residual functional capacity. Learn to address adverse evidence proactively rather than ignoring it, as decision writers will find unfavorable facts and unaddressed issues create credibility problems.

Discover why leading questions hurt your case and how proper hearing preparation impacts outcomes. Learn the importance of thorough ADL questionnaires for mental health evaluations and why only 10% of claimants actually meet or equal a listing—making aggressive listing arguments counterproductive.

Master the art of effective legal advocacy by addressing evidence that contradicts your position rather than ignoring it. Learn to identify and distinguish unfavorable evidence, particularly consultative examination inconsistencies where RFC conclusions conflict with clinical findings.

Understand how persuasiveness analysis applies to all opinion evidence, including DDS opinions even without consultative exams. Learn strategies for handling single-visit examinations and treating source opinions, including obtaining functional capacity assessments that support your case.

Gain insider knowledge about decision writer training, terminology restrictions, and productivity quotas that affect case processing. Understand how writers influence outcomes by flagging overlooked evidence and why preparing glossaries for large files benefits everyone involved in the case.