1. The information from a claimant's medical records should allow the disability examiner or administrative law judge (depending on the level of the claim) to discern that the claimant has functional limitations that are great enough to rule out the ability to work at a substantial and gainful level at--
A) at job that is part of their relevant work history and
B) at any other type of job for which they might otherwise be qualified.
2. The information should go far back enough to precede their DLI, or date last insured (think of it as the expiration point for insurance coverage), if their claim is for title II social security disability only, and should also go far back enough to hopefully support their AOD, or alleged onset date (when they believe that their condition became disabling).
3. The information in the medical records should contain recent information that supports a finding of "disabled". Social Security, for this reason, needs to see medical evidence that has been generated within the last ninety days. What happens if recent information is not in the file? It can make it more difficult to get a case approved. For SSA to make the determination that a person is disabled, they need to be able to determine that the person is disabled now. Without recent medical record information, a disability examiner will certainly be faced with having to schedule a claimant for a social security medical exam, or CE (consultative exam).
Consults are performed by independent physicians and when they are physical exams, they tend to be fairly brief. They are not for the purpose of providing treatment, and the examining physician may know next to nothing about the claimant or their medical history. Typically, a social security medical exam is ordered simply so the examiner can get the case closed. Will a CE get a disability case approved? Usually not on its own. However, if the remainder of the medical evidence is strong enough, it can allow an approval to be made since it will supply recent medical records which the examiner needs to close the case.
Additional Information on:
Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability Questions
Homepage for the: Social Security Disability Resource Center
A) at job that is part of their relevant work history and
B) at any other type of job for which they might otherwise be qualified.
2. The information should go far back enough to precede their DLI, or date last insured (think of it as the expiration point for insurance coverage), if their claim is for title II social security disability only, and should also go far back enough to hopefully support their AOD, or alleged onset date (when they believe that their condition became disabling).
3. The information in the medical records should contain recent information that supports a finding of "disabled". Social Security, for this reason, needs to see medical evidence that has been generated within the last ninety days. What happens if recent information is not in the file? It can make it more difficult to get a case approved. For SSA to make the determination that a person is disabled, they need to be able to determine that the person is disabled now. Without recent medical record information, a disability examiner will certainly be faced with having to schedule a claimant for a social security medical exam, or CE (consultative exam).
Consults are performed by independent physicians and when they are physical exams, they tend to be fairly brief. They are not for the purpose of providing treatment, and the examining physician may know next to nothing about the claimant or their medical history. Typically, a social security medical exam is ordered simply so the examiner can get the case closed. Will a CE get a disability case approved? Usually not on its own. However, if the remainder of the medical evidence is strong enough, it can allow an approval to be made since it will supply recent medical records which the examiner needs to close the case.
Additional Information on:
Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability Questions
- What does the Severity of your impairment have to do with Your Disability Claim?
- Does Social Security Disability prefer Current Medical Records for SSDI and SSI claims?
- After a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim has been taken and is Pending
- Disability Lawyers, Medical Records, and Social Security Hearings - Should you go to a Hearing alone?
- How are medical records and work history used to determine a social security disability claim?
- Dire Need and Getting a Social Security Disability or SSI Case Speeded Up
- Will SSD Be Based On Newer Or Older Medical Records?
- What tools are used by a Social Security Disability Examiner to Make a Claim Decision?
- What if you Move out of State after you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI?
- The Psychologist Exam for Social Security Disability and SSI Claims
- Do you need a Lawyer at the Administrative Law Judge Disability Hearing?
- Social Security Disability, SSI Claim Decisions For Physical Problems and Medical Exams
- Do I automatically receive Medicare benefits if I'm approved for disability benefits?
- If Social Security Disability sends you to an Exam, will it be done by your doctor?
- Will Social Security Grant Disability If I Have Not Been To the Doctor?
- Do you get disability back payments from social security?
- How long does it take for an examiner to review a disability case?
Homepage for the: Social Security Disability Resource Center
