Disability Judges Notice This First

This podcast episode explores the key things that disability judges notice during Social Security Disability Hearings. The judges pay attention to various aspects such as the claimant's ability to carry items, clothing choices, walking gait, knowledge of their surroundings, signs of homelessness, eye contact, facial expressions, signs of bad teeth, range of motion, use of medical devices, medication prescription, smell of cigarettes or marijuana, how individuals navigate space, readiness, cosmetic details such as makeup and nail polish, signs of aging in different body parts, the number of keys jingling in a person's pocket, visible tattoos, height, race, and gender, scratches on the skin, bruises and shapes under clothing, type of watch worn, communication with the clerk, and the mental state of claimants. These observations help the judges assess the claimants' conditions and make informed decisions. It is important for claimants to understand what disability judges notice in order to present a strong case and secure a favorable outcome.