Does Your Doctor Decide If You Get Disability Benefits from Social Security or SSI?Social Security Disability involves much more than a medical opinion from your doctor. Social Security Disability determinations involve medical information, vocational information (regarding your jobs), as well as an individual's age, education, and residual functional capacity (what you are able to do despite the limitations of your disabling conditions). Your doctor cannot determine if you are disabled because your doctor does not know A) the listing criteria established in the Social Security Disability handbook nor B) what vocational guidelines might affect your eligibility for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits. Your doctor may feel that you are disabled from your work activity based upon a medical opinion, but medical opinions do not always establish disability. The Social Security definition of disability clearly states that the ability to perform substantial gainful work activity has to be considered no matter what an individual's disabling condition might be. If you are still working full time, despite the fact that you have significant medical and/or mental problems, your disability claim is likely to be denied on the basis of work activity alone. The definition of disability for Social Security Disability states that an individual must have an illness that is likely to result in death, or that they have been unable to work for twelve months, or that they are expected to be unable to work for twelve months due to a physical or mental impairment. When Social Security makes a medical determination, they must consider all of the aforementioned factors, and, as you can see, some of the factors are not medical in nature. Which explains why your doctor cannot decide if you get disability. However, your doctor can help your disability case by providing a treating physician's statement (a statement from the doctor who has a history of treating you; you may have more than one of these) that includes objective medical evidence (clinical notes, testing, etc), diagnosis, response to treatment, a prognosis, and what he or she feels that you are able to do including activities that are involved in a work setting. This statement must be thorough and somewhat detailed in order to help your disability case. It is not enough to simply write that you are totally disabled and unable to work. Social Security Disability is based upon residual functional capacity rather than any certain medical or mental conditions. If your residual functional capacity is severely limited by your disabling condition or conditions, you may be approved for disability. 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: Can you receive short-term disability if you receive SSDI checks? Will my disability pay go back to the day I became disabled? How far back will they go on a disability back payment? How does Social Security Decide if I am Disabled? How Does Social Security Decide How Much I Get For Social Security Disability or SSI? How Will Social Security Decide a Disability Case that's filed? Who will decide my Social Security Disability claim? Does Your Doctor Decide If You Get Disability Benefits from Social Security or SSI? How does Social Security Disability Decide if you can Work or Not? How does Social Security use Evidence to Decide an SSDI or SSI Disability Claim and Make a Decision? Will the disability examiner call my former employer about the type of work I did? Applying for disability in Illinois Disability Lawyers in Illinois Will I qualify for disability Benefits in Illinois? |
