What action should James take regarding his onset date to potentially increase his back pay?

Choosing to amend the onset date to a date of earlier significant impairment can potentially increase James's back pay because benefits are typically awarded from the established onset date of a disability. If James can provide evidence or medical documentation showing that his impairment significantly affected his ability to work prior to the original onset date, he may qualify for back pay starting from that earlier date. This could result in a larger sum being awarded for the time he was unable to work, as payments would be made for the entire period from the amended onset date until his claim was adjudicated.

This approach is important because many disability programs assess both the severity of impairment and its effect on the ability to engage in substantial gainful activity. If James's medical records indicate that his condition had a significant impact on his ability to perform work-related activities before his initially stated onset date, adjusting it could substantiate a stronger claim for back pay.