Social security is not always successful in obtaining all of a claimant's medical recordsSomeone wrote and said that after one's medical records have been gathered...the trick is for social security to actually look at them. As a former examiner, I can definitively state that social security does look at everything they gather. In fact, disability examiners (the individuals who render decisions on claims at the disability application and reconsideration appeal levels) have a clear incentive to do so because they have case processing unit supervisors who check to see that every "i" is dotted and every "t" is crossed. Missing something in the MER as it is called, or medical evidence of record, is not something that examiners are typically allowed to do. However, while a claimant can be relatively sure that social security will look at and consider everything that is obtained, how that information is evaluated is a different matter entirely. In actuality, sometimes the trick is for social security to accord the proper significance to medical records. This is true in cases where pain plays a prominent role, or where many meds are being taken that, while treating the individual's major symptoms and complaints, cause side effects that (such as fatigue and difficulty with concentration) that can make it nearly impossible to engage in work activity or other types of ADLs (activities of daily living). And, of course, it goes without saying that the social security administration has a long track record of not giving proper consideration to things like pain. Will social security look at your medical records? Of course. Each disability examiner--and, quite likely, his or her unit supervisor and unit medical consultant--will review everything in a claimant's medical records which has been successfully obtained. But there's the rub, as it were. Social security is not always successful in obtaining all of a claimant's records. Why does this happen? Sometimes because...not all of a claimant's medical treatment sources have been disclosed. On this note, I've seen cases in which claimants have failed to disclose a particular treatment source at the application level and the reconsideration level, and then only mentioned, prior to a hearing, that they had received treatment from a Doctor X at facility Y. Which, of course, was mind-boggling. How did the individual ever think that their case could be properly evaluated without social security being informed of all their treatment sources? I can only theorize that a small percentage of claimants have the mistaken belief that the social security administration can look into a computer database that automatically reveals everywhere they've been for medical treatment. In other instances, it's probably true that the claimant overlooked a medical treatment source when filing their claim, and then never thought of the issue again--until it came up with their disability attorney or non-attorney claimant's representative. 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: Medical Records That Are Best For A Social Security Disability Claim What if the disability examiner cannot find all the medical records? How far back does Social Security look at medical records What if you don't have current medical records? Social Security Denied Me But Didn't Have All My Medical Records Tips for Social Security Disability Psychological and mental testing How Long does a Social Security Disability Determination take After Seeing the Psychologist? Social Security Disability Mental Psychological Exam and Questions that get Asked Does social security deny strong disability claims? Social Security Disability is different from VA disability Why are you denied the first time you are denied for disability? What Happens To Social Security Disability Benefits After Divorce? Can I do What I want with my Social Security Back Pay? How much information should you put on a disability application? What disability claimants get angry about - Part I Social Security and not getting the medical records Social Security Disability will sometimes order X-rays but never an MRI These pages provide answers to basic questions about pursuing disability benefits Who is eligible for SSI disability? How to get disability in Florida |
