If you are filing a claim seeking Social Security disability benefits, it is important to understand that many applications get denied. This does not mean you do not deserve benefits or that you should not submit the application. But you need to know why these denials happen and how you can avoid them.
Often, the key to the claim is to provide adequate medical evidence backing up your statements about your health condition. The Social Security Administration views this as the cornerstone of the entire claims process. While every part of the documentation is important and must be filled out correctly, providing medical evidence can make or break your case.
What type of evidence do you need?
The exact medical evidence that you present will depend on your condition and why you are seeking these benefits. But it could include:
- Statements from your primary care physician
- Statements from medical experts or specialists
- Copies of your medical records
- The results of CT scans, MRIs or other such tests
- The results of any laboratory testing, such as blood work
This medical evidence can help to demonstrate that you have a real condition that was diagnosed by a medical professional. These statements can also help to demonstrate your potential for recovery, and they can help to show how the injury or ailment is going to affect your life. When those medical records show that your condition is likely to last for 12 months or more, then you may be eligible for benefits.
Building your case
Denials are common when it comes to SSDI applications, but knowing how to put them together can help you secure the benefits you deserve. It may be beneficial to work with an experienced law firm that has been through this process many times before.