Put everything in writing, and preferably in a trackable form like email or fax, or if you really want to make a point, by certified mail.

I feel like I'm in a bad marriage with them, hopefully when I hear those sweet words, favorable or even partial favorable decision, I can have this marriage annulled. Thanks for all your help.

That was cute. Hope you can get your "annulment" soon.

Have you ever seen your file? If not, get a copy of it and read it, every page of it. You will be able to see why you have been denied and knowing that gives you a chance to know what you are up against and how to fight it.

I haven't given up, so far I haven't kicked the bucket, that's what they hope you'll do. They didn't think the appeals council would grant a second remand. Now with this new CE exam, they have no more excuses, that's why a judge with a 66% approval rating is looking at it, the stick in the MUDs can walk away knowing they didn't approve me.

Dear Rayandnay,

Please do not let the approval rating of the ALJ frighten you. Think of it as just a statistic and nothing more. If you are qualified, the ALJ will approve you. A 66% approval rate means the ALJ APPROVES 66 out of every 100 claims that come before him/her. That does NOT mean that you will automatically fall in the 34% that are denied. There are a lot of people that apply that are NOT qualified and they are the people that fall into the 34 out of 100 that are denied. Never lose hope. (Ignore my name.)

Maybe the next time we hear from you, we will hear that you are number 67 out of the 100 and you raised his approval statistic.

Wishing you the best. Make Binder and Binder give you a copy of your SSDI file. Like Mz MIgraine said, they work FOR YOU, not the other way around. They will get paid if you are approved. They have a financial stake in helping you get approved. Also, the more YOU know about your claim file, the better prepared you will be. That will help level the playing field. If SSDI has more information than you do, that leaves you handicapped, not just disabled.

I'm happy about this judge, I don't think she's trying to save social security money, plus there are a lot of eyes on this case, if they don't get it right this time, the appeals council will make the decision for them, and my discrimination charge has teeth now.

I forgot to mention the judge I had before, his approvals were under 40%, I pretty much knew I lost when I walked in

Thanks for advice to go to local social security office, picked up CE exam report, only thing that worries me, examinator says I wasn't trying my best, I beg to differ. Do you think this will have a bearing?

Yes, SS can question the results and your credibility. Was the "not trying your best" just his impression or a part of the actual test? --For example, some tests will ask the same questions with slightly altered language to see if your answers are consistent.

You might want to be retested on your own prior to the hearing if you have insurance or can qualify for Medicaid or free/low cost county psych services.