Post by philliesfan on Sept 21, 2013 14:06:28 GMT -5
In reference to the letter from a sitting SSA ALJ posted on the union website, one of the problems I see in that ALJ being able to only schedule 25 hearings per month, is the number of time the files is handled. If you review to determine if you need an medical or vocation expert, then review more thoroughly before it is scheduled and then review it again when new evidence comes in, you could be handling the file at least twice and perhaps several more times. As a sitting SSA ALJ, I review each file one time. When I held afternoon hearings, I reviewed the files the morning of the hearings and now that I hold morning hearings, the afternoon of the day before. I have a standing order to have a vocational expert at every adult disability hearing. In two years, I have used two medical experts and only did that because I was ordered to by the District Court. The next time I review the file is when I make the decision and draft the decision writing instructions.
As Hamster can attest (we're in the same office), most of the ALJ's in our office review the file shortly before the hearing, either on flexiplace or in the office. Generally, all or most of the relevant evidence has been submitted by then. Most SSA practitioners don't start requesting medical evidence until they receive a Notice of Hearing; so if you review a file before that there is an excellent chance that a lot more medical evidence will be received by the time of the hearing, which will again have to be reviewed. By reviewing the file for the first time as close to the date of the schedule hearing, you cut down on the number of file reviews and can devote time to other activities such as making decisions, holding hearings, and reviewing draft decisions. I will admit that the decision writing in my office is very good, reducing the need for significant editing and redrafting. I have had cases drafted in other offices and am well aware that this is not the case everywhere. One was so bad, I had it redrafted in my office and the redraft was half as long and considerably better.
I agree with Hamster with respect to electronic versus paper cases. Also in a e-file, both the attorney and I can look at the same exhibit at the same time, if there needs to be any discussion about it. Not so with a paper case. We still get paper cases occasionally, especially remands and I cringe when I got one and I was with BHA, OHA, ODAR for almost 30 years before we had e-files. They are much better. Never mind that I do not miss the paper and staple cuts from the old paper files.
As Hamster can attest (we're in the same office), most of the ALJ's in our office review the file shortly before the hearing, either on flexiplace or in the office. Generally, all or most of the relevant evidence has been submitted by then. Most SSA practitioners don't start requesting medical evidence until they receive a Notice of Hearing; so if you review a file before that there is an excellent chance that a lot more medical evidence will be received by the time of the hearing, which will again have to be reviewed. By reviewing the file for the first time as close to the date of the schedule hearing, you cut down on the number of file reviews and can devote time to other activities such as making decisions, holding hearings, and reviewing draft decisions. I will admit that the decision writing in my office is very good, reducing the need for significant editing and redrafting. I have had cases drafted in other offices and am well aware that this is not the case everywhere. One was so bad, I had it redrafted in my office and the redraft was half as long and considerably better.
I agree with Hamster with respect to electronic versus paper cases. Also in a e-file, both the attorney and I can look at the same exhibit at the same time, if there needs to be any discussion about it. Not so with a paper case. We still get paper cases occasionally, especially remands and I cringe when I got one and I was with BHA, OHA, ODAR for almost 30 years before we had e-files. They are much better. Never mind that I do not miss the paper and staple cuts from the old paper files.