What you were told at the psych eval about asking for a hearing is something to take very seriously. I would also advise that, if you do get an initial denial and have to petition further, get either a law firm or a non-profit agency to assist you. That's what I did. (But I had the law firm help me right from the initial get go.) I got approved in 3 months and the law firm will get paid nothing because I had accrued no back benefits. There is no hard feelings (on the part of the law firm) and I think having the law firm represent me got my claim taken more seriously. They are especially good at making sure all your medical history gets sent to SSA. Without their help, I would be still kicking things around and in a disorganized state.

When you go for the physical eval, they ask you a bunch of weird questions like: how many hours per day can you stand, squat, sit, bend, carry things . . . etc. Just be patient and don't feel frustrated, if you have to concoct some arbitrary answer. The evaluator is forced to ask you a set of questions that the SSA requires to be answered. Consider the outcome that you think is fair to you, then frame your answers to support the limitations in working that you honestly believe you have. Good Luck.