If You File For Social Security Disability How Far Back Will They Look At Your Medical Records?Social Security likes to have a twelve-month longitudinal medical history to make their disability determinations. Additionally, Social Security may have to look at medical records that are many years in the past depending upon when an individual became unable to perform substantial gainful activity due to their disabling impairment or impairments. Consequently, Social Security generally requests all medical records pertaining to a disability applicant even if there are more than twelve months of records. At this juncture, it is important to mention that Social Security needs both a medical history and current medical treatment notes to make their disability determinations. Social Security considers medical records that are less than ninety days old to be current medical records. If an individual has a lot of medical records from the past, but no current medical treatment notes, they will be scheduled for a consultative examination (consultative examinations are short one-time evaluations with a physician hired by Social Security) to address the current status of their disabling condition or conditions. It is not unusual for a disability applicant to be required to attend more than one consultative examination. For instance, if an individual alleges learning disabilities and back problems but they have no medical treatment notes, or no current medical treatment notes, it is likely that they will be scheduled for a psychological consultative examination as well as a physical consultative examination. Social Security schedules these consultative examinations because it is imperative that an individual's current residual functional capacity (what a person's remaining physical or mental capabilities are) be evaluated in the disability determination. Social Security Disability determinations require medical records back to the date of onset (when an individual became unable to work due to their disabling impairment or impairments) to establish that date as an individual's true onset of disability. If there are no medical records available for that time period, a future date may have to be used as the established date of onset. This could mean that an individual may lose back disability benefits because they are unable to medically prove that they were disabled at the time they stoped working. 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: Should I get a lawyer if I have already filed for disability? What is considered to be a disability for SSDI or SSI? Who can get SSI disability? Does social security contact your former work employers when you file for disability? Can You File For Disability While Receiving Unemployment? When should you File for Disability benefits with the social security administration? Do You Have To Be Out Of Work For A Long Time Before You Can File For Disability? Filing for Disability Online or over the phone Who Do I Contact To File For Disability Benefits from the Social Security Administration? How long does it take to hear an answer after filing for disability? You can file for disability for a mental disorder or problem if it interferes with SGA If You File For Social Security Disability How Far Back Will They Look At Your Medical Records? What if you Move out of State after you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI? When should you apply for Social Security Disability? What Happens When You File an SSI or Social Security Disability Application? Will I qualify for disability Benefits in New York Getting a Disability Lawyer in New York How do Disability Lawyers in New York get paid their fees? |
