I filled out my own paperwork, never required to see a doctor for approval, and was approved within 3 months. They also back paid me a year because I had been out of work longer than that. And they used that instead of my application date. Plus I had pysical and mental reasons for the disability. So every case is different. I never consulted a lawyer. It has also been said that approval ratings can be easier or more difficult depending on the state you live in.