As a case manager, I am always glad to hear when one of our client’s gets selected for the Virtual Screening Unit (VSU). This can potentially speed up the processing time of your claim and get the benefits you deserve in your hands faster.
The VSU is a program developed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to reduce the backlog of claims waiting for a hearing. Claims selected by the VSU are claims currently waiting for a hearing at one of the SSA Offices of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).
If your claim is selected by the VSU, an attorney adjudicator will review your file in an effort to determine if a fully favorable decision can be issued without having a hearing. A fully favorable decision means that SSA agrees that you are disabled and agrees to the exact date that you alleged onset of your disability.
At Greeman Toomey, if one of our client’s receives a VSU notice, we update their file immediately. You will receive a phone call from one of the members of our medical records staff to confirm we have requested records from all the appropriate medical sources. Once received we will submit all of these records to the attorney adjudicator the at the VSU.
We would also want to make contact with your supportive doctors. If you are treating with a doctor for your physical or mental health conditions and believe that doctor would be supportive of your claim, we have a special form we will ask them to complete regarding your conditions, restrictions and limitations. Also if you have any supportive documents in your possession that have not already been submitted to SSA please provide our office with copies.
After reviewing the information submitted, the attorney adjudicator may try to make a decision within the next 7-14 days. Sometimes the adjudicator may need some clarification regarding your medical information. An example would be when a specific condition was diagnosed or a treatment plan was prescribed. The adjudicator may also request additional information regarding your past relevant work, such as a job description or confirming whether previous employment was full time or part-time.
If a fully favorable decision cannot be issued, your claim will be sent back to the appropriate ODAR office. Claims returned to the ODAR office go back in line in their original order, not causing any delay in the scheduling of your upcoming hearing.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact your case manager at (612) 332-3252 or toll free at (877) 332-3252.
