Oh, (((Dolfinz)))! I'm so sorry! Gosh, I know what you've been through already to get as far as you have. I had to go in front of the ALJ too, but that's where I finally won my case.

If you are unable to work, then I would say definitely keep pushing. It's getting harder and harder to get approved because of the way they're changing the rules. But I wouldn't give up.

One very valuable lesson I learned was to select an elderly and distinguished lawyer who was up for consideration to become a judge himself. After all my struggles, once we got to the ALJ, all this lawyer had to do was go in the courtroom and talk to the judge for five minutes and I got my approval. I never saw the judge myself. Apparently he was willing to take the lawyer's word for it that I was truly in pain and disabled by it.

I hope you have the strength to keep fighting this thing, and that you ultimately prevail. Remember, this is a right you're fighting for. Not just an entitlement. Good luck...

Idealist