The Role of a Vocational Expert: Friend or Foe at Your Disability Hearing?

If your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim reaches the hearing stage, you’ll likely encounter a key player in the process: the vocational expert. Often referred to as the “VE,” this expert witness plays a critical role in helping the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decide whether you’re eligible for disability benefits. But are vocational experts on your side—or working against you?

Whether you live in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, or Louisiana, American Disability Action Group can help you feel more confident and prepared for your hearing.

What Is a Vocational Expert?

A vocational expert is a neutral third party hired by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide testimony at disability hearings. Their job is to evaluate whether a person with your medical limitations can still perform any work that exists in the national economy. They are usually trained in job placement, labor market analysis, and the physical and mental demands of different occupations.

During the hearing, the ALJ will present the VE with hypothetical scenarios based on your medical condition, age, education, and work history. The VE then uses a government database called the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) to identify whether there are jobs you can still perform—despite your limitations.

Why the VE’s Testimony Matters

The vocational expert’s opinion can carry significant weight. If the VE testifies that no jobs exist that you can reasonably perform, that can strongly support your case for benefits. On the other hand, if the VE says that you could still work certain “light” or “sedentary” jobs, the judge may deny your claim—even if your doctor has stated you’re unable to work.

This is especially important in borderline cases or when your disability doesn’t fit neatly into the SSA’s criteria. The VE’s answers can essentially make or break your case.

Friend or Foe?

It’s important to remember that vocational experts are not inherently against you—they are supposed to provide impartial opinions. However, their assessments often favor denial if not effectively challenged. That’s why having an experienced disability attorney can make all the difference.

In states like Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Louisiana, the testimony of a VE can vary depending on the ALJ and local case patterns. Your attorney will understand how these hearings typically proceed in your region and how best to respond.

How Attorneys Prepare to Handle Vocational Experts

An experienced disability attorney will:

• Review the VE’s qualifications and prior testimony
• Prepare rebuttals to hypothetical scenarios that don’t reflect your true limitations
• Cross-examine the VE to expose inconsistencies or highlight unreasonable job suggestions
• Introduce evidence that demonstrates why the jobs mentioned are not realistically available to you

Attorneys can also present their own hypothetical questions that better reflect your medical and functional limitations, shifting the narrative in your favor.

Don’t Face the Hearing Alone

A vocational expert can either support your claim or stand in the way of benefits you desperately need. The key is being prepared and represented by someone who knows how to navigate this complex process.

At American Disability Action Group, we help clients in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Louisiana face their disability hearings with confidence. Let us stand by your side and fight for the benefits you deserve. Contact our Arkansas and Nationwide Social Security Disability Attorneys today for a free consultation.

Source:

ssa.gov/appeals/public_experts/Vocational_Experts_(VE)_Handbook-508.pdf