rogerd i understand what you are saying....even worse some of us had to agree to onset dates which were actually many months later than when we actually stopped working because the alj didnt see sufficient medical evidence to support a total disability until that date. this meant many thousands lost in back pay. in my case $21,000. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. when you appeal a fully favorable onset ,you could lose everything. not that that is what you are talking about doing but im just giving an example.