Social Security Disability Law: News and Facts

What is more important is that you are treating with the right doctors and making sure your case is strong before you apply. To many people just file their case for social security disability hoping to win their case instead of properly preparing their case to win it.  To many people lose good cases because they do not understand how social security disability really works. They do not understand how their past work can affect their case. Many people file a case before they even know what is wrong with them medically. Social Security is not going to figure it out for you. You do not want to file if you still have a lot of testing to see what is wrong, you want that testing done first before you file. Social security will not guess what is wrong with you. It is your job to work with your doctors to figure that out and to do it before you file your case.  No matter which condition is the basis for your SSD application, your claim must contain ample medical documentation. Include...

Social Security Judges require that your impairments be documented with medical evidence. The strength of a disability claim often depends on the nature and quantity of the medical treatment received. The more impairments you claim for and treat for the better your chances of winning your Social Security Disability case. Medical evidence from the doctors who are currently treating you can be persuasive to Social Security because your doctors tend to know your medical history in more detail than other sources (such as a Social Security doctor who sees you one time). Treating doctors can provide an opinion about your condition that may be more convincing than your medical records alone. In my experience the number one reason why judges deny cases has to do with lack of compelling evidence. This could take the form of gaps in treatment – when four, six or more months elapse between doctor visits. Lack of medical treatment could also mean that the judge expects to see treatment from a spec...

 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 m...