Im sooo sorry about the way you have been treated.
I was wondering if you have done the remand hearing yet? I went to court 2 times, appealed the first decision, and the appeals council remanded me back to the to the ALJ. The only draw back is that you go back to the same ALJ the rendered the first denial.
Maybe they have taken that step out, im not sure, but I do know when you are this stage you can file a new claim as you fight this the current one.
Dont give up! That is exactly what they want you to do.