When does a case go to the Social Security Disability review board?   Someone recently submitted the following question: "My case has been approved by DDS, but has been sent to the Quality review board. Is this social security's way of making sure that DDS did their job correct?". The quality review board being referred to is something known as DQB, or disability quality branch. This is a facet of the social security administration that reviews cases that have been processed by disability examiners. Officially, the purpose of a DQB review is to ensure that the decisions made by disability examiners on Social Security Disability claims and SSI disability claims are correct and proper. However, it's the opinion of many disability examiners that there's more to it than that. Specifically what I mean is this: as a disability examiner, the returns (cases that are intercepted by DQB, reviewed, and then sent back to DDS, or disability determination services, to be worked on again) noticed by myself and other examiners tended to be cases that had been marked for approval, not cases that had been marked for denial. In other words, there seemed to be a clear pattern that indicated that the social security administration was looking far more closely at cases that examiners had determined should be approved, and not as closely at cases that disability examiners had determined should be denied. And the only plausible reason for that seemed to be an agency slant toward saving money...which is another way of saying holding down the number of approved cases...which is another way of saying trying to deny more cases. Should it surprise anyone that the Social security administration might have a bias against approving claims? Not at all. In my own opinion, it is the manner in which the "Social Security Disability quality review board" works that has a direct and immediate influence on how cases are decided in the various state DDS agencies. And, of course, there is the uncomfortable fact that higher-ups within the Social security administration have actually advocated that the disability hearing appeal should include an SSA attorney, effectively turning the hearing level into something far less than an objective process and into an interest-based adversarial process. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: How does Social Security establish when disability claims are to be reviewed? What happens in front of a disability judge? All Social Security Disability and SSI cases get a review How long does it take to be approved and awarded disability benefits? When does a case go to the Social Security Disability review board? How long will an SSI or SSDI disability claim take? Using a lawyer to potentially speed up the disability appeal process Speeding up the Social Security Disability or SSI Claim Process Social Security Award Letter and being due a substantial back pay amount Reasons to get a representative who specializes in disability claims only When you apply for Social Security Disability should you send copies of your xrays? Getting approved for disability based on being blind How to answer questions at a Social Security Disability CE examination What disability claimants get angry about - Part II How does Social Security consider pain? These pages provide answers to basic questions about pursuing disability benefits Who is eligible for SSI disability? How to get disability in Florida