i really think that you should get a lawyer who handles only social security disability. A general lawyer will not be versed in all aspects of the process. Social security has its own myriad of requirements and has a complex grid system that can be used to get social security disability even if no one illness meets enough criteria for you to get it.

why are you filing a new case instead of appealing? if you lose at the alj level then you can file a new case and appeal at the same time, or go to federal court. If you do not file an appeal you will not get any back pay if you win beyond the 17 month period before the new application. And that is only if when they find you disabled they find that the application date is your start date. After you appeal you submit new information, or tests or new illnesses after your original application, right up until right before you have your hearing. you send a copy to your lawyer and they will forward that information to social security. You can also send a copy to social security yourself to make sure it gets there.

From what i have read most times if you dont appeal to get a hearing before an alj and just file a new case you will probably lose the new case as well because it goes right back to the same place that made the first decision.