Review of my SSDI Case in Missouri   An individual in a forum recently wrote that he had received Social Security Disability benefits for five years and that social security was doing an extensive review of his Social Security Disability claim. This was his first social security review after receiving benefits for five years and he, naturally, felt nervous about the prospect of his claim being re-evaluated. What were his fears, and questions, regarding his Social Security Disability review? 1. That his claim would be denied---Well, this sometimes happens on a CDR (continuing disability review), but, by and large, most claimants who have been approved for disability also have their benefits continued after a periodic review has been conducted. 2. How many disability appeals would he get if his disability case was denied on review. Actually, this works no different than when a person decides to file for disability. If the disability determination on a Social Security Disability application in Missouri is a denial, the claimant may file a request for a hearing before an administrative law judge. Resources: 1. How long does it take to get Social Security Disability or SSI benefits? 2. How does social security make a disability determination? 3. Appealing A Social Security Disability Determination 4. How long does it take for Social Security Disability SSI? 3. Is it a bad sign if social security decides to send you to an examination (either a mental exam or a physical exam). This is an interesting question because the answer is a little different depending on whether or not a person has been denied on a disability application, or has been discontinued following a review of their existing claim. On a disability application, being sent to a social security medical exam (otherwise known, officially, as a CE, or consultative examination) may indicate that a claimant has not been treated for one of the conditions that has emerged in the course of processing their claim ("emerged" could mean that it popped up in the medical evidence or was listed on the disability application by the claimant). It may also mean that the claimant has not received medical treatment for a considerable amount of time ("considerable, however, is subjective---typically, an exam will be scheduled if a claimant has not been to a doctor in over two months). In either case, this may point to the relative weakness of the case. However, with reviews of Social Security Disability and SSI disability cases, things are different. How so? This is how. A claimant who has been approved for disability will not have their benefits discontinued (terminated) unless it can be shown that medical improvement has taken place. Let me repeat: The medical records must document medical improvement in the claimant's condition in order for the social security administration to justify stopping someone's benefits. Well, how can medical improvement be shown when a claimant no longer goes to the doctor much, which is often the case for individuals who are on disability and have conditions that, really, do not respond to continued regular treatment. Many individuals, in fact, have disabling conditions but have been released from their doctor's care because they have reached MMI (maximum medical improvement) and their doctor can do nothing to improve their condition. Such individuals will often find no reason to go to the doctor every single month. They may go only once every six months, or less. And such individuals will, on a review conducted by social security, be required to go to a medical exam or mental exam. But this fact alone does not mean they have a weak case. It may actually mean the opposite. 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? 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