Can You Win a Disability Claim if You Have Little Medical Documentation due to a Lack of Health Care?Can You Win a Disability Claim if You Have Little Medical Documentation due to a Lack of Health Care? Answer: it becomes much harder. If you don't have much documentation, there's a good chance that the disability examiner working on your case will send you to a social security medical exam, known as a CE, or consultative examination. This is done by an outside source, a private doctor who is paid to examine you. But these exams are just to provide a snapshot, i.e. some amount of documentation that will allow the disability examiner to show that there is recent evidence in the file (not older than 90 days). In other words, it is usually just a way to get the file closed. Can the results of a consultative exam be used to help win a case? Sometimes, yes. But, usually, if there's little documentation other than the consultative examination report, there won't be enough evidence to get a case approved. So, what does a person do? The best I can say is try to get seen by someone every three months at the minimum. Without health insurance, this is a tough proposition. In some areas, there are sponsored free clinics. You'd have to check to see if there is something like this where you live. Claimants in the past have tried other options, such as the use of local hospital emergency rooms as well. Unfortunately, an ER cannot replace an established history with your own treating physician, so if it is at all possible, try to get seen by one periodically. That would mean paying out of pocket and checking into the cost for this, of course. And I realize as I write this that it may be financially impossible. If you have representation, that individual may have suggestions for your immediate area. Good luck on your case. 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: How to file for disability in Rhode Island Dire Need and Getting a Social Security Disability or SSI Case Speeded Up Applying for disability with bipolar How to file for disability in Florida Will a Disability Lawyer decline taking your disability case? Picking the right disability attorney Free Legal Representation for Social Security Disability or SSI claims Social Security Disability, medium work, and your records SSD, SSI, and medium, light, and sedentary work What Does Social Security Consider To Be a Disability? Stroke and filing for disability Social Security Disability, Do Not Take Medication Or Go To Doctor How to file for disability in Oregon How to get disability for degenerative disc disease How much do you pay a disability lawyer and how are they paid? |
