When you apply for Social Security Disability, you will be required to demonstrate your disability using medical evidence. To that end, it is helpful to be familiar with the types of medical records and information you will need to supply for your Social Security Disability (SSD) claim.
Medical evidence and information needed for an SSD claim
When you apply for SSD benefits, you will need to demonstrate the severity of the impairment causing your disability. This means supplying information from medical sources that have evaluated, examined or treated you. With your permission, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can help collect this information.
To begin with, you will need to demonstrate the existence of your impairment using objective medical evidence from acceptable medical sources.
Once the existence of the impairment is established, the severity of the impairment you are suffering from must also be demonstrated. All evidence from medical and nonmedical sources will be used to assess the nature and extent of your impairment and its impact on your ability to perform work.
Consultative examination
In many cases, it’s enough for the applicant to provide evidence from an an examination by their own doctor. In other cases, the SSA may request a new consultative examination from the applicant’s doctor. Typically, the SSA will pay for this examination. If the doctor is unable to perform the examination, the SSA may schedule a consultative examination with a doctor of its choosing.
Be thorough
The more you provide your information and medical records in a timely, accurate, complete and organized manner, the more expeditious the claim processing can be.
An attorney with experience in Social Security Disability can help you determine the best way to document your disability when making a claim for SSD benefits. The more you know, the more you will be able to submit a complete application for the badly-needed benefits.