A Judge’s Perspective
The Foundations Series
The Foundations Series
Residual Functional Capacity:
The Centerpiece of ALJ Decisions
NOSSCR is excited to introduce a new educational opportunity: Retired ALJ Gina Carpenter, back by popular demand with more of her “A Judge’s Perspective” sessions, is launching a new series: The Foundations Series.
The Foundations Series will explore the core legal concepts that shape Social Security disability adjudication. Each course will combine a review of the governing regulations and rulings, insight into how Administrative Law Judges evaluate the evidence, and practical tips on developing persuasive evidence and identifying legal errors on appeal.
These courses are designed to help representatives better understand the decision-making process and become more effective advocates. Each session will be highly interactive, so come prepared to participate! (Because of the interactive nature of these courses, they are not offered for CLE credit).
The first course will focus on Residual Functional Capacity (RFC), the centerpiece of ALJ decisions. This course opens with a foundational overview of the regulations, rulings, and definitions that underpin Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) analysis. Building on that framework, the discussion turns to the types of evidence judges rely on when making specific RFC findings, equipping participants to identify and highlight the evidence needed to support the RFC limitations they want to establish, along with effective strategies for making those arguments. The session concludes with a hands-on exercise focused on spotting legal errors in RFC determinations.
