I really am attempting to provide information that will help, and you can help me (help you) by answering my questions.

My head was scrambled and I was emotionally leveled when I had to write my own appeal, so I can relate. It felt like in order to write the appeal I had to learn a new language, but one that was written by Martians from 1985, that had a very "unique" application of logic. It's easy to waste valuable time and energy on issues that seem important to you, but matter very little within the context of the case.

From my perspective, your subject of all 3 threads are how do you now proceed with your claim. When you think of new questions you can simply reply to your own thread, and post them there. Any of us can give simple responses, but if we recognize that you've jumped ahead a step in the process, that simple answer doesn't serve you well.

"Had" is past tense. "Going to dump" implies he has not dropped you yet. Is he still your attorney? Will or has he filed the appeal for you? If he is dropping you, request that in writing.

"Has indicated he thinks my case will be moved to the federal level." Does this mean he has filed an appeal and does not expect a positive result? That he is willing to file the appeal, but if it moves on to Federal Court, then he will release you?

Who told you "no lawyer will take my case"? If your lawyer felt you had no case, he shouldn't/wouldn't have taken it in the first place. If he feels you needed better documentation, he should have advised you of that. His opinion about what other attorneys will do is not worthy of ANY of your concern. If you want an attorney, you need to start researching the best ones in your area and make appointments. Until you have several refuse your case, don't think you can't find an attorney.

Your attorney might be subtly telling you he does not believe your disability qualifies you for SSDI/SSI benefits. If the documents do not accurately reflect your limitations, then getting into doc appointments, having tests taken, etc. would be advised, because you might need to file a NEW application (your current claim would be part of the record for a new application). If you were sent by SS to a doc/docs, read their reports carefully, they are supposed to be objective, and ALJ's will give them significant weight.

The simple answer to this thread is yes, you can represent yourself. BUT, I'm just not sure the original question applies to your situation based upon the info you've provided in your previous threads.