How Far Back Does Social Security Look At Your Medical Records for an SSDI or SSI Case?Social Security does not require you to have any past medical history in order for you to file for disability benefits under SSDI, Social Security Disability insurance or SSI, supplemental security income. However, disability examiners prefer to have past medical treatment records to make their disability decisions. If you have been treated for your disabling condition in the past, your treating physician's notes (i.e. your personal doctor's medical records) often offer a perspective that is not available otherwise. For instance, hospital treatment notes generally do not include information about your limitations or your response to various treatment methods. Hospital records generally provide useful objective medical evidence (i.e. various imaging results, lab tests, etc.) and acute medical treatment records, but they do not tell the examiner much about the ongoing severity of your disabling condition or how these limitations might prevent you working enough to be self supporting. The key to winning SSDI or SSI disability benefits from the Social Security Administration is having an impairment that so severely limits your ability to function; that is, it prevents you from doing ordinary daily activities such as work, shopping, household chores, paying bills, driving, etc. Past or old medical records can provide useful information as to how debilitating your medical impairment has been over the course of time. What does a disability examiner (or an administrative law judge if your case is at the hearing level) look for in your medical records? Disability examiners look for objective medical evidence to support your allegation of a severe physical or mental impairment. Objective evidence might be imaging results (MRI, cat scan, x-ray, etc.), blood work, breathing tests, counseling notes, or any other evidence used to diagnose and treat various disabling impairments. Disability examiners can only consider medical evidence from acceptable medical sources. Licensed or certified medical professionals such as physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, podiatrists, speech therapists, etc. are considered acceptable medical sources by Social Security. Currently, chiropractors are not considered an acceptable medical source by Social Security. However, disability examiners can use any objective medical testing results (usually, this means xrays) contained in their records for their medical disability decision. What if you have no current medical records? There is no way for a disability examiner to make a decision on a claim without current medical records. If you have no medical records, or just no current medical records (meaning no older than three months), you will most likely be scheduled for a consultative examination, CE for short. Social Security pays independent medical professionals to perform these short basic physical or mental consultative exams. These exams are not likely to give a true picture of a person's limitations and are performed strictly for the purpose of giving the disability examiner current medical information to make a disability determination. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: How long does a Disability Claim take in NC? Social Security Denied Me But Didn't Have All My Medical Records? How Can You Get Medical Records For A Disability Case without Insurance? Can you be denied disability if social security cannot find your medical records? Social Security Disability Medical Records How Far Back Does Social Security Look At Medical Records for SSDI SSI? Social Security Disability, Medical Records, and a Person's Limitations Medical Evidence on a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim Getting your medical records can speed up your disability claim Will a Disability attorney try to Help You get Your Medical Records? Applying for disability with bipolar, anxiety, and antisocial personality disorder Tips for veterans filing for Social Security Disability How long will it take to get a decision on SSD or SSI after a medical examination? Do you get benefits when Social Security reviews your case? How long does it take to get a decision on disability in California? How to apply for SSI Disability in California How much does it cost to hire a Social Security Disability attorney in California? |
