What Medical Evidence Do You Need for a Disability Claim?

If you have a disability that is severe enough to keep you from working, you may be experiencing significant financial stress. Unfortunately, bills don’t stop arriving when you’re unable to work, and as they pile up, you may feel increasingly panicked. If you find yourself in this situation, you may wonder whether you should pursue a claim for disability benefits and what medical evidence you might need to support such a claim. Let’s take a closer look at the law together.

Why Does Medical Evidence Matter?

Prior to understanding what type of medical evidence you may need to support your claim, it’s important to understand why that evidence matters. This evidence can make a tremendous difference in the strength of your claim, so putting forth the effort to gather and organize it effectively is often well worth it.

In determining whether to award benefits, the Social Security Administration will assess the evidence to determine whether a valid disability exists. In making this determination, the Social Security Administration will often consult its listing of impairments, known as the Blue Book.

The Blue Book is a guide that covers a wide range of conditions and their associated symptoms. It is divided into different categories, and various conditions are included in each category. While establishing that you have a particular condition in the Blue Book is not mandatory to be approved for benefits, it does significantly help your chances. As a result, submitting sufficient medical evidence that you have a condition listed in the Blue Book can be very helpful to your claim.

Even if you do not apply for Social Security disability benefits, but seek some other type of benefit, such as long-term disability, short-term disability, veterans’ disability, or some other type of benefit, medical evidence will be essential. Generally, all of these types of benefits require medical evidence establishing that a particular condition has rendered the applicant unable to work. Let’s take a closer look at what some of that evidence might include.

What Medical Evidence Might Help?

Gathering, organizing, and submitting medical evidence is a central part of any disability claim. Some of the most commonly used and most effective types of evidence include:

• Diagnostic tests: These may include MRIs, x-rays, CT scans, EKGs, and other diagnostic tests. These tests can be very helpful in objectively establishing the existence of a particular condition.
• Treatment notes: Treatment notes from a physician who has regularly treated you and is familiar with your condition can be essential to support a disability claim. A doctor who knows and understands your condition will be able to document not only the condition itself and its symptoms, but also its impact on your daily life. Particularly if these notes are taken over a period that establishes the ongoing, long-term nature of the condition, they can be very helpful.
• Medication history: If you have a condition that has required you to take medication consistently, supplying the prescription history in support of your claim can be very helpful. The claim reviewer will be able to determine what those medications are typically prescribed for and review why they may be needed in your case.

• Mental health records: In addition to providing treatment records from physicians and specialists who treat your physical condition, if you have a mental condition, it will also be helpful to produce records from a psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, or other mental health professional who has treated your condition.
• Vocational rehabilitation records: Although not technically medical records, these records can also be very helpful. If you have attempted to return to work or participated in vocational rehabilitation sessions in an attempt to do so, but ultimately have found that you cannot continue to work, these records may be very helpful in supporting your claim.

Obviously, each applicant’s circumstances are unique, and the particular medical evidence needed for your claim will be specific to your situation. For this reason, consulting with an attorney regarding your particular circumstances is always advised. At Keener Law, we are here for you.

Call Keener Law Today

At Keener Law, we know that if you aren’t familiar with the disability claims process, it can seem overwhelming. The law can be complicated and confusing, and it’s normal to worry that you don’t understand all of it and to wonder which particular path to take. The good news is, you don’t have to worry and wonder alone. We are here to help. Our talented and experienced team of attorneys understands every aspect of the disability claims process, and we’re here to put that knowledge to work for you. We will always pursue the best legal strategies on your behalf, and we’re ready to get started today. If you’re ready to take the first step, give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sources

• Social Security Disability Benefit Overview: https://www.ssa.gov/disability
• Evidentiary Requirements: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/evidentiary.htm