I'll try to explain. The standards for disability differ depending on your age bracket. You have a better chance to retrain and learn to cope with your disability the younger you are, is the idea behind the policies. 55 must be one of those signifigant age brackets.

The downside is that you won't get backpay and are required to wait. You can appeal the decision to try and get the earlier onset date, but you do jeopordize losing the approval. You can't just appeal the portion you're unhappy with--you have to appeal the entire ruling. The onset date can also effect your monthly check, so that is an issue you need to check into as well!

If you have an attorney, they will likely want you to appeal because they're compensated from backpay. Don't let their interests sway your decision.

Doesn't the judge's decision address why you didn't qualify with the onset date in your application?