To successfully file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must prove you are disabled. A required part of establishing a disability is making several trips to the doctor. Your trips to a medical professional will both help to confirm your disability and will also allow you to recover more quickly. However, you will need to make several trips to the doctor to be approved for your benefits and to continue receiving them.
The Role of Your Physician
The Social Security Administration (SSA) must speak with a physician regarding whether you should be entitled to SSDI benefits. The doctor at your consultative exam does not decide whether you will receive SSDI benefits but does influence the decision of the SSA. Your doctor will make an original assessment; all test results and observations must confirm the initial assessment.
Regardless of how your doctor diagnoses you, the diagnosis must show that you cannot work or perform light-duty work with reasonable accommodations.
Increasing Your Chances of Having Your Claim Approved
Always confirm your appointments and arrive at them on time. The SSA can deny your claim if you fail to take a medication or do not participate in the treatment as requested by your doctor. By following your doctor's advice, the SSA will find your claim more credible.
Your trips to the doctor's office will create medical records that you can use to prove that you are disabled. However, if you are concerned about whether your claim will be approved, consult an experienced Social Security Disability attorney.
How an Attorney Can Help
A Social Security Disability attorney will evaluate the strength of your case so you can know whether to go through the process. Some attorneys specialize in helping you file your initial claim, while others specialize in helping you appeal a claim denial.
Building a Strong Claim
The SSA might deny your claim initially even if your attorney believes you have a strong case. They approve a substantial percentage of claims on appeal. However, working with an attorney will increase your chance of getting your claim approved at any stage.
You will sign a medical privacy release, and your attorney will access your medical records. They will then submit relevant documents to the SSA promptly.
Gathering More Evidence
Your attorney might believe you need additional testing to approve your claim. They might recommend that you have these tests performed on your own or that the SSA schedule a consultative exam. Then, the SSA is more likely to approve your claim.
Contact a local Social Security Disability lawyer to learn more.
