An Advocate Can Make a Real Difference

There are cases where an advocate makes all the difference.

For Tomas Quinones, his case received an additional review prior to the hearing requested by attorney Neil H. Good. Prior to Quinones’ hearing, his case was decided in his favor.

He had already applied for benefits and been denied. Applied for reconsideration and been denied. Neil H. Good amassed an array of evidence and wrote a detailed pre-hearing memo that offered this evidence in support of Quinones’ case.

The advisor ruled that Quinones suffered from the following severe impairments: late effects of a cerebrovascular accident, hypertension, depression, and cognitive disorder. He also had moderate restriction in activities of daily living and in maintaining social functioning and in maintaining concentration, persistence or pace, and no episodes of decompensation.

He had no impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals one of the listed impairments. He has the RFC to perform a limited range of light work.

In December 2003, Quinones, who had worked for a construction company for 27 years, suffered an acute stroke. He underwent speech and language therapy, and his condition improved and he recovered enough to return to work. In March 2007, he was hospitalized and was diagnosed with acute renal failure, hyponatremia, pneumonia, and history of hypertension.

He subsequently complained of dizziness, intermittent speech difficulty, and frequent falls. A psychological evaluation resulted in a diagnosis of cognitive and depressive disorders, and impaired judgment.

Because Quinones was within three months of turning age 55 at the onset disability date, he was considered a person of advanced age. “His acquired job skills do not transfer to other occupations within his RFC and, considering his age, education, work experience and RFC, there are no jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy that he can perform.” He can perform a limited range of light work, the judge ruled, “but it does not affect the determination of disability in this case.” He was found disabled as of March 26, 2007.