Acceptable Medical Sources to be used in your Social Security Disability case

 Acceptable Medical Sources

The SSA regulates the sources of your medical documentation to make sure it came from a medical professional or an “acceptable medical source.” Once the SSA confirms your sources of medical documentation are valid, all documentation you gave the SSA will be considered while determining whether or not you qualify for disability benefits. Below are the medical sources the SSA considers acceptable:

1. Licensed physicians (medical or osteopathic doctors)

2. Licensed or certified psychologists (such as school psychologists)

3. Licensed optometrists (for visual disorders only)

4. Licensed podiatrists (typically for foot and/or ankle impairments only)

5. Qualified speech-language pathologists (speech or language impairments only)

I do not think chiropractic treatment holds great weight with judges. You are better off seeking treatment from a MD or DO. 

In several instances, the SSA will ask your treating physician, doctors, psychologists and/or any other medical specialist to provide a medical report(s) on the applicant’s condition. Typically applicants should submit these reports with the initial application to prevent this from happening. This is because it takes time for your physicians to fill out the documentation and send it to the SSA, which can potentially delay the application process by a few weeks to a couple months. When a doctor fills out a medical report, it is important they include the following:

1. Clinical and laboratory findings

2.  Treatment prescribed with applicant’s response

3.  Diagnosis of condition

4.  Prognosis of condition

5.  Detailed medical history

6.  List of applicant’s functional limitations due to condition

7.  If 18 years old or older: applicant’s ability to perform work-related activities despite their condition.

8.  If younger than 18 years old: applicant’s functional limitations compared to child his or her age.

If you need helping applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 20 years experience with Social Security Disability cases. 

Location: United States

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