What if you’re 26 but have Scoliosis mixed with Osteoporosis? My back looks like the hunchback of notre dame. My doctor even told me I’d never be able to work a regular job, but that’s been since highschool and my backs got worse. Can I not show the judge how bad my back hunches over? Because clearly they can see I’m disabled if they just saw my back.

Jonathan’s response: I think you should not rely on showing the judge how bad your back hunches over. Your chances of winning disability are much greater if your medical record and opinion evidence from your doctors addresses how your scoliosis and osteoporosis impact your capacity for work.

First, keep in mind that Social Security is not scheduling live hearings at this point. We may go back to in person hearings at some point in 2021 but there will be a backlog and you are likely to wait a very long time to actually appear before a judge. Currently, all SSD hearings are being conducted by telephone. Some judges are starting to hear cases using video (you, as the claimant, would be appearing using your smart phone) but I suspect that the severity of your medical issues would not come through on video like it would in a live hearing. Continue reading →