Originally Posted by Janke

It is also incorrect that everyone is denied the first claim that is filed. About 1 out of 3 initial applications are approved. That does mean 2 out of 3 are denied. But some of the denials include people who file because their LTD carrier requires it - not because they think they meet the rules. Some of the denials also are from people who think someone owes them money if they have a problem even if they don't come close to meeting the legal definition of disability. Other denials include claims filed by people who don't take the time to make a high quality claim (a doctor's last name with no address) and think that SSA will be able to find all the records and that the doctors will all respond. Then there are claims by people who are borderline disabled and get approved by lenient ALJ's. Then there are the people who are truly disabled who get denied until a lawyer writes a brief and puts all the evidence in a framework that shows the claimant meets the legal definition and convinces an ALJ.