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


Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits


 
Every decision in Social Security Disability (SSD) and SSI matters is based on a claimant’s medical records, and what they say about his or her ability to work (or not). Because medical records are critical to the outcome of disability cases, some applicants make the mistake of sending in far too much information in an effort to bolster their claims. This is not at all helpful, because it makes the disability examiner or judge’s job that much harder—sifting through a pile of records looking for acceptable medical evidence is both frustrating and time-consuming, when the ideal here is for the claimant to be as helpful as possible in providing a picture of his impairment and functional limitations.

Of course, some if not most people filing for disability don’t really know what types of medical documentation Social Security is looking for, so they figure they’ll throw in everything but the kitchen sink to be on the safe side, unaware that they are wasting everyone’s time and probably delaying a decision in their case.

When submitting medical records for a disability examiner or judge to review, it’s best to send in only medical records signed by a physician or psychologist. Medical opinions from nurses, chiropractors, acupuncturists, homeopaths, etc., are not considered acceptable medical evidence. X-ray films or other test results are not useful unless they are accompanied by a report and an interpretation--disability examiners and judges are not physicians, and do not know how to read these tests.

Pharmacy printouts are also not helpful—any medications you are taking should be covered in the notes or records from the treating physician or physicians.

So what kinds of medical records are useful? Admission or discharge summaries from hospitals, physician notes, X-rays, MRIs, or other test results that are accompanied by interpretive reports are all very useful to those making disability decisions.

Keep in mind that the point of submitting medical evidence is to help prove that A) you have a severe impairment and B) this impairment limits your functional capacity to the point that you are no longer able to earn a living wage. In order to prove these points you must have a written opinion from a physician or other approved medical treatment source that offers details about your symptoms and how they limit your ability to function. This should include how an impairment affects normal daily living activities, such as standing, lifting, walking, concentration, memory, etc., as well as a prognosis (how the medical condition is expected to progress over time).















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  • Social Security Disability & SSI Resource Center

  • Social Security Disability, SSI Questions and Answers












    Topics and Questions


  • After you file for SSD, the Disability Examiner may contact you for additional information

  • Appealing A Social Security Disability Determination

  • How much does Social Security Disability or SSI pay?

  • Doing the SSDI Appeal Online

  • Apply for Disability with Depression

  • Will The Condition You have Determine How Much You Get For Disability?

  • Why do social security disability claims take so long?

  • Why are Disability Cases Involving Children More Likely to be Denied?

  • When should you apply for Social security disability?

  • My Social Security Disability Claim Status

  • How is Social Security Disability Awarded?

  • Can the Social Security Office give you Bad Advice on a Disability Claim?

  • Social Security Disability Medical Records

  • How long does it take to get a social security disability hearing decision?

  • How will Social Security Determine if you get Disability Benefits?

  • Social Security Disability Mental Testing

  • What does Social Security Disability Representation Provide?

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

  • Why is the Social Security Administration definition of disability so strict?

  • Letters from doctors for Social Security Disability

  • Filing for SSD Disability - When Should You put in a Claim?

  • SSI Social Security Disability and Back Pain

  • What to Do After You Apply for Disability

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

  • How Long Can You Receive Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI)?

  • Why Do Social Security Disability Claims Take So Long?

  • Does The Social Security Reconsideration Take as Long As The Disability Application?

  • Social Security Disability Advice for Filing

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

  • What Will a Disability Lawyer Do to Win a Social Security Case?

  • Being Determined Medically Disabled for Social Security Disability

  • If I get disability, will they look at my case later?

  • Your Chances With SSDI On the First Appeal

  • Am I Eligible For Social Security Disability?

  • Getting a Social Security Disability Determination After Seeing a Psychologist at a Mental Evaluation

  • Advice for How to Win Social Security

  • How to Prepare For a Social Security Disability SSI Hearing

  • How Often Does Social Security Approve Disability The First Time You Apply?

  • List of Impairments for Social Security Disability SSI

  • The Administrative Law Judge At A Disability Hearing

  • Request for a Social Security Disability Hearing

  • Social Security Disability Facts

  • Why Will A Social Security Disability Application Get Denied? (SSDI Denial)