Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

I'd start with your normal procedure--if your regular contact is a paralegal or junior attorney, then start there.

If your attorney/s are in agreement that this is a good idea, fine. If not, it is a bad idea to push for it in my opinion. I think you're potentially squandering a big opportunity to have a hearing before a new, fair ALJ. The ALJ can deny you OTR as well as approve you and then you would have to appeal yet again and even be potentially faced with a Federal Case--which many attorneys won't even touch and if they do they are no longer limited to the $6000 maximum.

You need to accept that while your previous ALJ might have had a low approval rating, your first application didn't have enough documentation to prove your case. You must remember you chose not to pursue the first Federal Case, and you amended your Alleged Onset Date after filing your second application--so you can't consider that this case has been going on for 8 years.

It is extremely difficult to be patient at this stage, but I encourage you to speak with your therapist if you're struggling. Read up on how to prepare. There are plenty of people that have been in your exact position and are denied at their 3rd, 4th, or 5th ALJ hearing and then denied at appeal. You really need to treat this opportunity seriously in my opinion.

Let me give you a baseball analogy. You're at bat and have 3 balls and 2 strikes--going to your ALJ hearing is like having the opportunity to hit a homerun on the last pitch.

Originally Posted by Rayandnay

In talking to my attorney, they are waiting for report from my psychiatrist to go along with CE Examinator who has me mentally retarded with severe depression, and then see if Otr is possible.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

Than they're already doing everything possible in your best interest. Be patient, okay?

Originally Posted by Rayandnay

It's not easy after 102 months, but I truly believe in my heart this is it, 5 of my doctors, 3 of theirs all say the same thing. One other thing Lit, when you file a discrimiantion claim, why doesn't anyone tell you the results of investigation, or does that form go into circular file?

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

You filed a discrimination claim against someone at SS? Why? When?

Originally Posted by Rayandnay

The ALJ that I had 3 hearings with, failed to listen to social securitys doctors, my doctors, even on remand, didn't address appeals council directive on addressing ME who testified at hearing, notorios judge who has a high number of cases remanded. Was warned, he doesn't believe in physche cases, 38% approval rating, just doesn't seem like smart judge. Actually filed 2 discrimiantion charges, latest 10-13, if you don't listen to my doctors or ssa doctors, what chance does anyone have with this guy?

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

I came across these links and thought they might be of some interest to you. I'm guessing the first and second link are more applicable, but that's is just a guess, so I included both. The first gives some suggestions about additional documentation that might be of some help at your ALJ hearing.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/res...g-benefits.htm

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page9-16.html

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page11-10.html

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

I came across these links and thought they might be of some interest to you. I'm guessing the first and second link are more applicable, but that's is just a guess, so I included both. The first gives some suggestions about additional documentation that might be of some help at your ALJ hearing.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/res...g-benefits.htm

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page9-16.html

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page11-10.html

Originally Posted by Rayandnay

Here's the words of the Examinator, "Mr. Jones obtained a full scale iq score of 58, which would classify him in the mental retardation range. However, I am not comfortable assigning this diagnosis, because of his appeared lack of effort likely impacting his true scores. Does this fall into malingering, and this test is thrown out or maybe retesting? Mr. Jones does appear to be experiencing symptoms of major depressive disorder. Aging has to play a part in low iq, and medication.