Hello, I am new here and was trying to get some input from those who had ben through this process. From reading some posts, it seems that a lot of people went to this ALJ hearing and testified, and a vocational expert was present. I just had my hearing this past week, and there was no vocational expert. I am wondering if this is a positive or negative. I am taking it as a negative, as there was no expert to say that I couldnt do any kind of other job in the local marketplace. According to my representative, he said my testimony was very clear and concise, and explained my limitations fully, which my medical records also backed up. He basically said the only way the judge could rule against me, is if he thought I was blatantly lying, but since my testimony was in accordance with the medical opinion, the doctors, in essence, would have to be lying as well, so that part at least looks good. Just worried about there being no vocational expert. If anyone has any info on this, i'd appreciate your input. Thank you.