SSDRC




Filing an Application for Disability Benefits

How do you win disability benefits?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much is paid for the Social Security Disability Attorney Fee?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

Qualifying: What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability?

Applying for disability for Fibromyalgia

Filing for disability with Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability on the basis of Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status


Letters from doctors for Social Security Disability


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits


 
Letters from doctors that simply state "My patient is disabled and unable to work" have little value in the eyes of a disability examiner or a federal judge. The social security disability system focuses on a claimant's remaining ability to work, despite their condition, and looks to compare objective evidence regarding a claimant's functionality against the demands of their past work and other types of work they may potentially be suited for.

For this reason, an assessment of a claimant's functionality and limitations by a treating physician can be vital. This is particularly the case at the disability hearing level.

Should a physician submit a supporting statement prior to the disability hearing level In some cases, this type of statement may be instrumental in winning a case at the intial claim and reconsideration levels.

However, state disability processing agencies (where disability examiners decide claims for the social security administration) often do not give credence to the opinion of a treating physician, choosing instead to adopt the opinion of an agency unit physician (employed by social security) who has never treated the claimant, or the opinion of an independent consultative medical examiner (a physician who has performed an outside exam, lasting, perhaps, 10 minutes on average, and who, once again, has no history of treatment with the claimant).

At the disability hearing level, however, attitudes toward statements provided by treating physicians are often remarkably different. And such a statement can certainly win a disability case, as long as the statement is in line with the physician's history of treatment with the claimant.















Return to:  

  • Social Security Disability & SSI Resource Center

  • Social Security Disability, SSI Questions and Answers












    Topics and Questions


  • Can you file for disability when you lose your job?

  • Working while getting Disability - is it possible?

  • Social Security Disability, Medical Records, and a Person's Limitations

  • What physicians and claimants should know about Social Security Disability

  • Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

  • A medical source statement for a Social Security Disability Case

  • Is there ever a review to see if you are still disabled (If so when does it happen?)

  • Social Security Disability - The claimant's ability to work

  • Does Social Security Disability Come With Medicaid Benefits?

  • Letters from doctors for Social Security Disability

  • What is SGA and how does it affect Social Security Disability?

  • Why do social security disability claims take so long?

  • What does Social Security need from your medical records?

  • When should you apply for Social security disability?

  • Basic Facts about the Administrative Law Judge Social Security Disability Hearing

  • How is Social Security Disability Awarded?

  • Social Security Disability And Trial Work Months

  • Social Security Disability Medical Records

  • Can You Apply For Disability When You Lose Your Job?

  • Social Security Disability Mental Testing

  • Social Security Disability Representation

  • If You are Denied for Disability, What Should You do First?

  • Qualifications for Social Security Disability

  • To get a Social Security Disability or SSI Award do you have to have a Permanent Disability?

  • How To Get SSDI Approved

  • How Do You Switch Your Disability Lawyer?

  • Doing the SSDI Appeal Online

  • Will You Get Social Security Disability Benefits If You Cannot Work Your Old Job?

  • Apply for Disability with Depression

  • SSI Social Security Disability and Back Pain

  • The Qualifications for Disability Benefits and the Types of Evidence Social Security Looks at

  • How Will Social Security Decide a Disability Case that's filed?

  • Being Determined Medically Disabled for Social Security Disability

  • Why Will You be Sent to a Social Security Doctor?

  • Am I Eligible For Social Security Disability?

  • What Happens If I Miss My Social Security Appeal Date?

  • Social Security Disability SSI Appeal

  • Social Security Disability SSI Denied

  • The chances of winning a social security hearing for disability benefits?

  • Medical Records Social Security Disability

  • How Far Back Does Social Security Look At Your Medical Records?

  • Advice for How to Win Social Security

  • How to Prepare For a Social Security Disability SSI Hearing

  • Does Social Security disability pay for doctor visits ?

  • Is qualifying for SSI different than SSD (social security disability?

  • List of Impairments for Social Security Disability SSI

  • Social Security Medical Exam

  • Winning a Social Security Disability Appeal or SSI Appeal

  • Request for a Social Security Disability Hearing

  • Getting Social Security Disability Help for your Case

  • Social Security Disability Facts

  • How often will my disability claim be reviewed ?

  • Should you ask a Disability Lawyer About Their Win Rate and How Many Cases They get Approved?

  • Why Do Social Security Disability Claims Take So Long?

  • Social Security Disability Health Coverage

  • Social Security Disability Back pay

  • Social Security Disability Advice for Filing

  • If You Are 62, Should You File For Social Security or Social Security Disability?

  • Do You Qualify For SSDI Benefits from SSA? (Social Security Disability Insurance)

  • Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability

  • Why was I denied social security disability?

  • Will I Get SSI or SSD Disability With a Ruptured Disc?

  • What if I go to a Social Security hearing without an Attorney or a Disability Representative?

  • Social Security Disability Doctor, Supportive Statements

  • Mental Disability Benefits - What Social Security will Consider

  • What Are the Chances of Winning an SSA Disability Appeal?

  • Disability Attorney - Does Social Security pay the fee?

  • Requesting a Disability Hearing After You are Denied

  • How Do You Win An SSI or Social Security Disability Hearing?

  • Social Security Disability, SSI, Mental Disorders, and Functional Limitations