Karen expressed extreme frustration with the process and felt like she didn’t have a voice. Understanding how the complexity of Social Security can be overwhelming, we met with Karen and developed a strategy as we approached her Social Security Disability (SSD) hearing.
Karen, along with attorney Keith Kinzebach, appeared at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge in Kennewick, Washington. At the hearing, Karen testified that she worked as a home health aide and CNA until January 2016, when she hurt herself attempting to lift a patient. Fearing the worst, Karen contacted Kadlec Medical, who authorized an MRI of her back, which showed nerve root impingement. Karen stated that she then immediately met with an orthopedic physician who recommended surgery. Karen went forward with surgery in August of 2016 at Trios Hospital in Kennewick.
Despite the surgery, Karen’s condition did not improve. Karen reported to having continuous severe back pain despite surgery and regular physical therapy. Moreover, Karen noted that the side effects from her medications further impaired her ability to function. Karen’s husband, Michael, only enhanced Karen’s credibility by submitting a statement to the court explaining how Karen’s severe back pain, numbness, sciatica, fatigue, depression, and anxiety had been consistent since January 2016.
At the hearing, the Administrative Law Judge called on a medical expert. The medical expert testified that combination of Karen’s nerve root impingement, difficulty ambulating, and inability to complete household chores met the Social Securities guidelines. The medical expert further stated that the records and physician opinion form Karen’s orthopedic surgeon in Richland, which were obtained with the help of attorney Keith Kinzebach, was the deciding factor in determining disability.
Based on the medical expert’s testimony, were the Administrative Law Judge found Karen disabled as of January 2016.