Proving a Social Security Disability Case Often Means Getting a Statement from Your DoctorAfter a Social Security Disability or SSI disability claim is taken at a social security field office, it is transferred to disability determination services where it is assigned to a disability examiner. As the first step in the processing of the disability claim, the examiner will send out requests for the claimant's medical records. The wait for records may take weeks or sometimes even months, but at some point, the records will be received and the case can be evaluated. The information contained in the records will be used to ascertain in what manner and to what degree the claimant is physically or mentally limited. And reaching these conclusions will be reflected in the physical residual functional capacity rating or mental residual functional capacity rating that is given to the claimant. For adults, these ratings will be compared to the type of work the claimant did in the past and will allow the disability examiner to determine if the claimant can go back to a prior job or do some type of other work; for children, a rating can be used to determine if the child's condition prevents them from staying on pace in age-appropriate activities such as academic school work. Ultimately, of course, what the medical records have to say about the individual's condition will determine whether or not the case is approved. How much information does the disability examiner need from the medical records to reach a decision, or to approve the case? Why doctor statements are necessary To approve a disability case, the examiner will need to be able to find sufficient information in the claimant's records to show that their current physical and/or mental limitations will not allow them to engage in work activity at a substantial and gainful activity level. This can be difficult very often due to the fact that most doctors do not record information in their treatment notes as to what a person's limitations might be (such as difficulty with short-term memory, or difficulty with lifting more than a certain amount of weight, or difficulty grasping objects, etc). And it is for this reason that a disability lawyer, after a case has reached the social security hearing level, will attempt to obtain a medical source statement from a claimant's doctor that conclusively specifies in what ways the claimant is limited. Such statements tend to be very effective with disability judges at hearings, assuming that the statement is supported by the bulk of the medical evidence and that it also indicates limitations that rule out substantial and gainful work activity. 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: Get Disability in Wake Forest, NC Proving a Social Security Disability Case Often Means Getting a Statement from Your Doctor What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits? Proving Functional Limitations and why this is Important on a Disability Case What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits? Proving the requirements for disability in North Carolina How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI? Is it possible that I will lose my disability benefits when my case is being reviewed? Getting a Disability Lawyer in New York If you apply for disability in New York Will I qualify for disability Benefits in New York |
