VAMO

SSDI Claim Support

Vocational assessments for SSDI claims

Clear, concise forensic vocational reports built for Step 4 and Step 5 of a Social Security Disability Insurance claim, at a flat rate of $850.

Overview

Changing the way vocational evidence is presented in SSDI claims

For years, law firms representing SSDI claimants have been forced to choose between vague, generic medical notes and 15-page walls of words that Administrative Law Judges and disability examiners simply do not have time to read.

We built a better approach. Using a proven, structured medical-vocational evaluation framework, VAMO delivers concise, highly objective forensic vocational assessments that directly apply the 20 C.F.R. regulations.

We eliminate the fluff and provide hard, defensible vocational evidence addressing erosion of the occupational base.

Clinical reviewers examining a medical case file

Why leading firms trust VAMO

Byron Pettingill

Byron Pettingill MRC, CRC

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Vocational Expert

Byron Pettingill, MRC, CRC, is a Nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Vocational Expert with nearly three decades of experience in private vocational rehabilitation, medical case management, and forensic vocational assessment. Holding a Master of Rehabilitation Counseling from the CORE-accredited University of Northern Colorado, he specializes in conducting comprehensive vocational evaluations, transferable skills analyses, job analyses, and labor market research for individuals with disabling conditions. Since 1996, Mr. Pettingill has served as Owner and Manager at Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Ltd. His extensive expert witness background includes testifying in approximately 20,000 Social Security Administration disability hearings, and providing sworn vocational expert testimony in civil litigation.

01

Led by a nationally certified vocational expert

Your cases are backed by top-tier forensic credentials. Our vocational evaluations are directed and signed by Byron Pettingill, MRC, CRC, a Nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with nearly 30 years of specialized experience.

  • Nearly 30 years of forensic experience. Expert in private vocational rehabilitation, labor market research, and transferable skills analyses (TSA).
  • 20,000+ SSA disability hearings. Extensive experience serving as a vocational expert witness in Social Security Administration hearings.
  • Master of Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC). Educated at the CORE-accredited University of Northern Colorado.
  • CRC certified. Nationally certified by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC #00011795).
02

Structured to match SSA's 5-Step Sequential Evaluation

We speak the SSA's language. Our reports follow a rigid administrative and legal structure that walks examiners and ALJs step by step through 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 and § 404.1545.

  • Detailed exhibit indexing. Systematic review of medical records, VA Rating Decisions, C&P exams, DBQs, and technical reports.
  • Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) analysis. Precise analysis of Past Relevant Work (PRW), including SVP ratings, exertional levels as classified versus as performed, and transferability of skills.
  • Physical and mental RFC synthesis. Clear mapping of physical, postural, fine-motor, and non-exertional limitations (Paragraph B criteria) directly to occupational demands.
03

Labor market and erosion analysis

An SSDI claim at Step 5 turns on whether a claimant can adjust to other work in the national economy. VAMO quantifies functional deficits against standard competitive employer tolerances.

  • Off-task percentage. Establishing when continuous pain, sensory deficits, or cognitive intrusions cause off-task time exceeding customary employer limits (10% to 15%).
  • Unexcused absenteeism. Documenting when flare-ups and treatment protocols result in absenteeism exceeding one to two days per month.
  • Erosion of the sedentary base. Analyzing how combined physical ergonomics, manual dexterity loss, and mental limitations erode the unskilled sedentary occupational base.

How the report is built

Our proven assessment framework

Every VAMO Vocational Assessment and Residual Functional Capacity Evaluation is built for clarity and speed without sacrificing technical rigor.

  1. 01

    Executive summary and administrative framework

    Immediate legal framing under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520.

  2. 02

    Comprehensive records review

    Objective breakdown of medical care, treating source statements, and VA disability ratings.

  3. 03

    SSA 5-Step evaluation matrix

    Concise analysis covering SGA, severe impairments, domain limitations, and PRW.

  4. 04

    DOT and transferability of skills analysis (TSA)

    Complete breakdown of past occupations and skill transferability under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1568.

  5. 05

    Residual functional capacity (RFC) integration

    Direct evaluation of physical, postural, and mental restrictions.

  6. 06

    Vocational expert opinion

    Expert opinion addressing competitive workplace tolerances and occupational erosion.

Submitting a request

A streamlined portal for SSDI representatives

Submitting a request is fast, secure, and hassle-free.

  • Direct electronic records upload

    Upload the full electronic claims file (ERE), VA rating decisions, or medical source statements directly through our secure HIPAA compliant portal.

  • Predictable turnaround

    Fast, dependable delivery schedules designed to meet tight hearing dates and appeal deadlines.

  • One flat rate

    Each vocational assessment is $850, in line with every VAMO service. No hidden fees and no contracts.

  • Seamless Google Drive integration

    Submissions automatically generate dedicated, organized folders in our secure cloud storage for effortless document handling.

Trouble with the form? Open it in a new tab.

Questions about a request? Email ssdi@vamo.vet.

Every service is a flat $850, with no hidden fees. See our pricing guide.

The team behind every assessment

All Social Security Disability vocational assessments are authored by credentialed experts who meet the highest industry standards.

Board-certified credentials: active CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor), CVE (Certified Vocational Evaluator), or ABVE Diplomate/Fellow credentials in good standing.

SSA mastery: deep, practical familiarity with the SSA 5-Step Sequential Evaluation Process, DOT and SCO classifications, and BLS and OEWS employment data.

Other engagements

VA Claim Support

VA Claim Support

Independent Medical Opinions, TDIU Vocational Assessments, Mental Disorders DBQs, and VA Form 21-2680 for Aid & Attendance.

Clinician authored

Independent Medical Opinions

Independent medical opinions and nexus letters built from the record, with clear rationale and exhibit citations prepared for VA review.

VA Claim Support

Mental Disorders DBQ

A Mental Disorders Disability Benefits Questionnaire, completed after a telemental health psychological assessment by our clinical specialists.

VA Claim Support

TDIU Vocational Assessments

Vocational assessments that address whether service-connected disabilities prevent a veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

VA Claim Support

Aid & Attendance Assessments

Clinical assessments completed on VA Form 21-2680 to document a veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

Partner with VAMO on your next SSDI claim.

Give your clients the forensic vocational advantage they deserve with clear, expert-backed reports built for SSA decision-makers. Flat rate of $850.

VA Claim SupportIndependent Medical OpinionsMental Disorders DBQTDIU Vocational AssessmentsAid & Attendance AssessmentsSSDI Vocational Assessments

Request a vocational assessmentor call 800-601-4947