I agree with all of the above. Lawyers will not generally take your case if they don't think you have some chance of being approved. How many times has he been denied? I was denied twice before I got an attorney and it was a wise decision. They will help you with paperwork and give you advice that you can't get on your own. If you get to the 3rd appeal(administrative hearing) they will be with you at the hearing interviewing. My lawyer was great, he knew that I was scared and agitated during the hearing and he did his best to calm me down. They will place emphasis on what you cannot do, not what you can do. The frequent hospitalizations your husband had can help, it did me, and his age may help. That was in my favor(I'm 56). It can be a long arduous experience, some people have it easier, but for me it was a long road. In the long run it was worth it.