ALLEGED ONSET DATE VS. ESTABLISHED ONSET DATE

AOD - The Alleged Onset Date is the date the claimant alleges that he or she first became disabled.  This date is a mere allegation or claim until it is proven and accepted by a Social Security decision maker.  The AOD may be changed by a decision maker, such as an administrative law judge, if he or she feels that the evidence does not support the alleged onset date.

EOD - The Established Onset Date is the date a Social Security decision maker accepts or "establishes" as the actual date the disabling impairment first began.

The date the disability began can be a "moving target" until the decision maker decides the EOD.  Once the EOD has been established by medical evidence, the claimant may be able to receive disability benefits back to that date (depending on the date of application).

Who determines the Alleged Onset Date (AOD)?  The answer is, the claimant or the claimant's representative chooses the AOD.  It may be based on events such as a heart attack, an accident or surgery.  It could be based on the last day claimant worked.  Or, it could be based on the earliest date that medical evidence exists to prove a disabling impairment existed--such as the date of a doctor's visit, an X-ray or a diagnosis.

If the AOD does not go back far enough it can cost the claimant in lost back pay.  IF the AOD goes too far back it can cost the claimant credibility and make the case look weak or contrived.

The alleged onset date must be supported by objective medical evidence.  The key question is, what is the earliest date that medical evidence can be used to show that a disabling impairment existed?

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