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Attorney Shawn Taylor

Getting SSD benefits requires sufficient medical evidence

by | Nov 14, 2019 | Social Security Disability |

For West Virginians who suffer from an injury or condition that negatively impacts them physically, mentally or both, receiving Social Security Disability benefits could be a possibility. The benefits might be Social Security Disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income. The Social Security Administration needs evidence to grant benefits, so understanding how a case is assessed is wise.

When a decision on whether to grant an approval is made, the medical evidence will be the determining factor. The medical records will be read by the disability examiner, and the source must be deemed “acceptable.” It is important to know which medical sources are acceptable and which are not. Licensed medical practitioners like physicians, psychologists and psychiatrists will be acceptable. However, a chiropractor or acupuncturist is not.

Claimants are advised to see experts for their specific ailment. An example would be a person suffering from back pain seeing an orthopedist. Those who have mental illness should see a psychiatrist. The examiner will need contact information for the medical professionals. Notes, files, tests and results from the medical visits should be provided. When the patient seeks SSD benefits, the medical professionals should be aware of this so that there is detailed information as to work limitations.

To ensure the SSA gets all the information needed, the physician should be asked to give the date when the symptoms became disabling, the level at which the person is currently disabled, and a prognosis if the condition can improve, is stagnant or will get worse. A physician can also be asked to fill out a residual functional capacity form, which details the claimant’s mental and physical capabilities. Having all the relevant information critical to a disability claim is foundational to the case. Legal assistance from a Social Security Disability attorney might benefit the applicant from the start.