About Stephen Bennett – VA/Disability Attorney — Social Security Disability Sherwood, Arkansas

Social security disability Sherwood claimants face a complex federal process with high denial rates and strict medical documentation requirements, and Stephen Bennett brings focused experience in both VA benefits and Social Security disability claims to residents of Pulaski County, Arkansas. Located in Sherwood — a community in the Little Rock metro area — the firm serves veterans and civilians alike who are pursuing SSDI, SSI, or VA disability compensation. Arkansas consistently ranks among states with the highest disability rates nationally: the Social Security Administration’s 2024 data shows Arkansas residents aged 18–64 receiving SSDI benefits at approximately 6 percent of the state population — well above the national average of 3.6 percent. That elevated rate reflects both the health challenges facing Arkansans and the ongoing need for competent legal representation at every stage of the claims process. Claimants seeking representation can review options through social security disability attorneys nationwide.

Stephen Bennett’s practice title — VA/Disability Attorney — signals a dual focus that is particularly valuable in Sherwood and Pulaski County, where a significant veteran population overlaps with civilian disability claimants. Both Social Security disability and VA disability claims require building an evidentiary record from medical records, treatment notes, and functional assessments. A social security disability Sherwood attorney who understands both systems can identify where benefits interact and help clients pursue maximum coverage across programs. The SSA processed 8.6 million disability beneficiaries nationally in December 2024, and experienced legal representation remains one of the most consistent predictors of claim approval at the administrative law judge hearing level.

What Clients Say

Clients of Stephen Bennett describe an attorney who takes disability claims personally and fights through denials methodically. Reviewers note the firm’s particular strength with VA claims — where the rating process is distinct from Social Security — and highlight the attorney’s persistence in gathering the medical evidence needed to support claims that initial reviewers rejected. Claimants in Pulaski County value having a local attorney familiar with the Little Rock Social Security hearing office.

Social Security Disability Sherwood — Practice Areas & Services

• SSDI applications: The firm handles initial Social Security Disability Insurance applications, including assisting claimants in documenting qualifying work history and medical impairments that prevent substantial gainful activity.
• SSI claims: Supplemental Security Income claims for low-income disabled individuals — including those with limited work history — are filed and tracked through the SSA’s administrative process.
• Reconsideration and appeals: Most initial disability claims are denied; the firm handles reconsideration requests, requests for hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the Little Rock ODAR office, and further appeals to the Appeals Council.
• VA disability ratings: Veterans in Pulaski County pursuing service-connected disability ratings through the Department of Veterans Affairs receive representation at the rating, supplemental claim, and Board of Veterans’ Appeals levels.
• VA benefits denials: When VA denials are issued improperly or medical nexus evidence is overlooked, the firm pursues appeals through established VA and federal court procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SSDI approval rate in Arkansas, and how can an attorney help?

Initial SSDI applications are denied at the national level roughly 67 percent of the time, and Arkansas tracks similarly. Most approvals happen at the Administrative Law Judge hearing stage — where claimants represented by attorneys win at significantly higher rates than unrepresented individuals. An attorney helps by organizing medical evidence, obtaining treating physician statements, preparing the claimant for ALJ questioning, and identifying the specific listing or residual functional capacity argument most likely to succeed.

How is VA disability different from Social Security disability?

VA disability compensates veterans for service-connected conditions using a rating system from 0 to 100 percent. Social Security disability requires showing total inability to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable impairment lasting at least 12 months. The two programs are independent — a 100% VA rating does not automatically qualify someone for SSDI, and an SSDI award does not affect VA compensation. However, both require strong medical documentation, and an attorney experienced in both systems can build a unified evidentiary record that supports claims in both programs simultaneously.

Where are Social Security disability hearings held for Pulaski County residents?

Arkansas residents in Pulaski County typically have hearings scheduled at the SSA’s Office of Hearings Operations in Little Rock. ALJ hearings are assigned after a reconsideration denial, and the Little Rock hearing office handles cases for much of central Arkansas. Hearings can be conducted in person or via video, and an attorney ensures the record is complete before the hearing date so no supporting evidence is inadvertently omitted from the ALJ’s review.