My name is Russ. I filed for SS Disablity in Aug, 2004. Went thru the usual 2 denials, then had my hearing before the ALJ in Oct, 2006. Denied. My attorney appealed to the Appeals Board and I won that appeal, but the case was remanded back to the ORIGINAL ALJ who denied me the first time. My hearing is Sept 29, 2008. I don't understand for the life of me how the Appeals Council can send the case back to the original ALJ. He totally discredited me in the first hearing, then made many mistakes which the Appeals Council agreed. By sending it back to this judge again, I just feel that he will be out to get me. He basically got slapped on the wrist by his boss, and told to fix it. I don't think this looks good for me. Anybody out there with a similar experience.

This is my first post as I came across this site today for the first time. Even though there is alot of heartache and pain here, I FINALLY found people that are going thru the same thing that I am. This has been the most gut wrenching experience of my life. If I am denied at the what i call the "retrial", I will give up. My health is getting worse due to this experience. Thanks for hearing me out. I will be back often
Russ :-)