What Kind of Evidence Is Used to Decide My Social Security Disability Claim?
Social Security Disability is designed to give assistance to individuals who are unable to work to provide for their needs. It does not matter what caused the disability. All that matters is the individual is unable to perform a gainful activity to earn at least $1,000 per month. The disability could be the result of a disease, trauma, accident or personal injury. The person only needs to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate the disability.
Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies a large percentage of claims the first time a person submits an application. While hiring a Social Security Disability attorney is not a guarantee of having your application approved, the attorney can help to ensure you have all of the evidence and documentation necessary to present a strong case for your disability benefits.
Evidence Used in a Disability Claim
A variety of evidence is used to evaluate and decide disability benefit claims. The type of evidence that is most persuasive in a Social Security Disability claim is the evidence that is obtained from the person’s treating physician. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will look to see if your treating physician is a specialist and it will look to see how long you have been treating with this physician. If you have been treating with a specialist for a long period of time, SSA may weigh this evidence more heavily.
In addition to providing statements from your physician, it also helps to have objective tests that confirm your physician’s diagnosis of disability, if possible. Tests such as CT scans, MRIs, x-rays and other diagnostic tests confirm what your physician is stating in his or her statement.
While your treating physician is the preferred source for medical evidence in a Social Security Disability claim, medical evidence from hospitals, clinics and other health facilities can also be submitted as evidence for your disability claim. Other evidence such as statements from schools, parents, caregivers, social workers, employers and other public and private agencies can be used to supplement the medical evidence submitted by your treating physician.
What is a Consultative Examination?
If the evidence you submit for your Social Security Disability claim is not sufficient, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may require a consultative examination. This examination may be conducted by your treating physician or an independent source such as another physician that the SSA chooses. The purpose of the consultative examination is to gain further evidence of your disability. After the examination and any required tests, the physician will submit a report for the SSA to consider. Having an experienced Social Security attorney to help you as you go through the process can make the entire experience less stressful and easier for you.
Contact an Experienced Radcliff and Elizabethtown Social Security Disability Attorney
We’ve Helped Thousands of KY Families, we can help you!
The Social Security attorneys of Musselwhite Meinhart & Staples, PSC have over 50 years of combined legal experience. If you are having trouble with your Social Security disability claim, we can help you. We represent clients throughout central Kentucky.
Contact us at our Radcliff and Elizabethtown Office in Hardin County at (270) 351-6032 or toll-free at 1-800-754-HELP to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. You may also contact our office through our convenient online contact form.