A remand is typically granted when the Appeals Council is able to find fault with the hearing decision issued by a judge.

The Appeals Council, of course, is the next step in the appeal process beyond the ALJ hearing level.

Claimants whose cases have been denied by an Administrative Law Judge may request that the ALJ's decision be reviewed by the Appeals Council.

In a certain percentage of cases, the Appeals Council will conclude that a judge erred, either in applying the correct vocational rules, or in failing to consider evidence that was available at the time of the hearing.