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Medical Evidence and your Disability Claim
Medical Evidence is the foundation upon which your claim for disability under both Title II and Title XVI will rest. Every individual who files for disability must provide medical evidence to support the disability. Medical Evidence can come in many forms, but generally it must come from medical professionals as defined by the Social Security Administration and they are:
- Licensed physicians;
- Licensed or certified psychologists;
- Licensed optometrists; and
- Licensed podiatrists, etc.
As your longstanding, treating physician is the one best suited for evaluating your disability, the medical records provided by said physician would be provided great weight by SSA in deciding your claim. Therefore, it is imperative that you treat with a physician continuously and follow as much as possible the physician’s treatment plan for you in order to demonstrate your impairment. If you have also treated with other medical sources such as hospitals and clinics, it is important to notate them for SSA and obtain copies of those medical records as well. These medical records should be requested from time to time in order to submit to the SSA so that your evidence of disability can be as complete as possible.
When requesting medical records from your treating physicians, please note exactly what SSA looks for. Medical records should include all medical treatment, clinical and laboratory testing results, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. A complete medical record will paint a definitive picture of your health and indicate to the SSA your impairment and inability to work.