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There's really no simple answer to this question. On paper, at least, if a disability claimant's medical conditions are sufficiently documented to the extent that it is clear that the claimant cannot return to their past work or perform any suitable form of "other work", then the claimant will be approved for either SSI disability or social security disability benefits (depending on what was filed for). Unfortunately, though, getting approved for social security disability tends to be a subjective process. That's because the individuals who make make decisions on disability claims (disability examiners and, at hearings, administrative law judges) all interpret medical records differently. You would think that what is in a person's medical records would be fairly objective and conclusive. But that's not exactly the case. Making matters worse is the fact that the vast majority of doctors fail to indicate in their office notes what a patient's physical and/or mental limitations are, based on their medical conditions. Yet this is exactly the type of information that social security is looking for. In other words, social security disability claims examiners assign very little significance to a claimant's various diagnoses---what is infinitely more important is how a claimant's condition or conditions affects their ability to return to a job, or perform another type of work. However, as was mentioned, few doctors provide helpful information in the records they keep. 
How do you improve upon this situation? Generally, it is a good idea to get a supporting statment from the doctor or doctors who have treated you. But the statement must be more than short declaration that you are unable to work. The statement must actually cite why it is that you cannot work. In other words, the statement should specify your various limitations (for example, if you are unable to sit, walk, or stand for longer than X number of minutes, or unable to lift more than a certain amount of weight, or unable to reach, move, or bend in certain ways). Another way to improve your chances of getting approved for social security disability will be to consider getting experienced representation (from either an attorney or non attorney--many nonattorney advocates are former social security employees and are highly experienced) to assist you, particularly if you have to appear before a disability judge at a hearing at some point. Disability Lawyer Help on disability Claims Free Case Evaluation |
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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY SSI LAWYER ANSWERS TO YOUR SSDI & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 3 ANSWERS TO YOUR SSDI & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 4 |
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If you suffer from a medical disability such as hip, neck, back, or other joint problems, disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rsi or repetetive stress injury, inflammatory bowel disease, congestive or chronic heart failure, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, high blood pressure (hypertension), seizure disorder, stroke, copd, emphysema, hearing loss or poor hearing, vision loss, clinical obesity, epilepsy, cancer, chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis, lupus, anxiety, inner ear problems, meniere's, vertigo or dizziness, kidney failure requiring dialysis or other renal problems, cirrhosis, hepatitis, or other liver disease, pancreatitis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, rsd or reflex sympathetic dystrophy, crohn's disease, sarcoidosis, peripheral vascular disease, lyme disease, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, hiv, aids, anemia, sickle cell, thyroid problems including hypothyroidism, cardiomyopathy, or tachycardia, arrhythmia and have initiated or been denied on a social security disability, or ssi, claim for benefits, this site may assist you with your case. Social Security Disability benefits are often difficult to win; however many claims for social security disability are lost simply because a claimant did not know enough about the disability process to their social security or ssi claim. For information re: representation on a social security disability or ssi claim (attorney or non attorney representative), see the "qurstions" & "how" pages. |
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