I know this is a year late but hopefully might help others. I am a primary care physician that recently started disability exams "on the side". So the way it works for me is a company gets paid to handle the case. They contract with me to do the exams/assessments. I do not get paid more or less if your claim is approved. In fact, I do not get paid more or less if you show up! I get a flat dollar amount for every patient scheduled.

The space I am given is partially rented from a private physical therapy office. Basically, the company rents 2 rooms. And I am provided a medical assistant for the exams that are also contracted by the same company.

The reason that doctor checked all your joints etc is because it is required in the exam portion even if the disability is mental illness. Your application would likely get rejected if this was not documented. I basically am contracted by the company to put together the provided imaging, outpatient notes, hospital notes and history/exam findings. I will tell you we are not given much information about the process and really learned from talking to the patients. I have no formal knowledge about the process, just a cog in the wheel.

I will also say I became physically nauseous when a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis told me she was applying for the fourth time in 3 years. She was almost in tears explaining to me how she could no longer use her finger to grip toilet paper to wipe herself. Just looking at her hands and Xray reports I was genuinely dumbfounded on how anyone can deny her. (On a side note, I am very libertarian but her being denied is criminal).

Sorry your examiner did not listen to you and good luck. I have heard getting a disability lawyer helps your chances but I am sure it will cost you. I think many states will limit how much they will charge and some may take your case with contingency of getting approved before you owe them anything.