Social Security Disability SSI: Medical Evidence, Records, and Limitations

1. Medical Evidence Used on a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim
   It's important to note here that, in the eyes of the SSA, not every medical treatment source is acceptable.
   
   
   
2. Does Social Security Disability prefer Current Medical Records for SSDI and SSI claims?
   There are a couple of reasons older non-current medical records are potentially valuable to an individual's disability claim.
   
   
   
3. Medical Disability - How does Social Security view your work and medical records
   If you do not have any current medical treatment sources, you most likely will be sent to a consultative examination by a physician (paid for by Social Security).
   
   
   
4. The Medical Records That Are Best For A Social Security Disability Claim
   Social Security prefers that disability claims be supported by medical records from the applicant's treating physician. In general, the treating physician is in a better position to document the onset date of the impairment, how it can be expected to progress over time (prognosis), as well as any physical or mental limitations it places on the patient's ability to work.
   
   
   
5. What happens if the Social Security Disability examiner cannot find all the needed medical records?
   If the only evidence available to a disability examiner is the report of findings from a CE that has been scheduled by a disability examiner, then the outlook is very poor for the disability claim being approved.
   
   
   
6. If You File For Social Security Disability How Far Back Will They Look At Your Medical Records?
   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.
   
   
   
7. How long does it take for an examiner to review a disability case?
   Once the claimant's medical records and other evidence have been received, the case write-up can be completed within a handful of hours. Unfortunately, receiving just the medical records can often take weeks, and months is not unheard of.
   
   
   
8. How are medical records and work history used to determine a Social Security Disability claim?
   Using the information provided by the claimant at the time they filed their application, the examiner will start sending out letters to the various doctors and hospitals who have provided treatment to the claimant.
   
   
   
9. Social Security Denied Me For SSD But Didn't Have All My Medical Records, What Do I Do?
   Social Security Disability examiners do not necessarily have to have all of an individual's medical records to make a medical decision on a claim.
   
   
   
10. How Can You Get Medical Records For A Disability Case If You Have No Insurance?
    The lack of medical records is a very common problem for individuals who have not been working or have been unable to pay for health insurance.
    
    
    
11. Can you be denied for SSDI or SSI disability if social security cannot find your medical records?
    It is very infrequent that SSA (meaning the disability examiner) cannot locate all of a claimant's medical records. At the same, it is not extremely uncommon for at least one of the claimant's treatment sources to be unlocateable.
    
    
    
12. For Social Security Disability Do I Need To Give My Dates of Treatment?
    If you want your disability claim to have the best chance of winning an approval for disability benefits, you need to provide information about all of your medical treatment sources including their names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of treatment.
    
    
    
13. Social Security Disability and Medication
    If you are not taking medicine to treat your symptoms and are filing for disability based on a medical condition that could be improved by medication, a disability examiner may question if you are truly disabled, or if it's possible that you could work if you took prescribed medication.
    
    
    
14. Can You Get Approved For SSI or SSD Benefits IF You Have A Mental Condition But Do Not Take Medication?
    How medication non-compliance might affect the overall chances of being approved for SSI or SSD varies from disability agency to disability agency, and even from unit to unit within those agencies (each state has at least one DDS agency that processes disability claims for the social security administration: DDS stands for disability determination services).
    
    
    
15. Social Security Disability, SSI Claim Decisions For Physical Problems and Medical Exams
    Contrary to what many people believe, 'Social Security' doctors do not perform consultative examinations. The doctors that perform consultative examinations are usually doctors who practice in a locality who are willing to perform consultative examinations for Social Security for an agreed upon fee per examination.
    
    
    
16. Can you present evidence at a Social Security Disability or SSI hearing?
    Yes, you can present evidence in the form of medical records or a statement from a physician at a disability hearing. However, this is not just an option, it is a necessity.
    
    
    
17. Will a Disability attorney try to Help You get Your Medical Records for your SSD or SSI claim?
    There are some representatives, attorneys, and law firms who will assume the cost of obtaining medical records and agree to wait to be reimbursed until after the hearing.
    
    
    
18. What are Medical Experts at Social Security Disability hearings?
    Why are experts called to disability hearings? Arguably to assist the judge in his or her decision-making.
    
    
    
19. Can you win your Disability Case by Yourself?
    At a disability hearing, a claimant would, without question, handicap their case by going it alone.