Are you filing a disability benefits claim and want to enhance your chances of winning? Then, you’ll want to continue reading this guide.
When filing a disability claim, you’ll be requested to provide medical evidence. That evidence will be the backbone of your case.
What many claimants are unaware of is that medical proof is more than a doctor’s note.
Medical evidence involves a variety of documents that showcase the SSA your disability prevents you from working.
In this article, we’ll explain how to properly gather medical records, the types of evidence it takes to win benefits, and how a seasoned disability attorney Indianapolis can help you with those tasks.
Why Medical Evidence is Essential to Win Disability Benefits
Medical evidence isn’t just an optional part of your case; it’s one of the fundamental requirements.
No case was ever won with a lack of substantial medical evidence.
Regardless of your health impairment, you must prove you have a qualifying condition to secure Social Security disability benefits. The only way to do this is through medical evidence from official sources.
That’s why some mental health disorders—for which there are still no straightforward tests—are so challenging to prove.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will base most of its decision on reviewing the medical evidence you submit on your application.
Evidence doesn’t only have to prove you have a disability; it must also clearly showcase how your impairment hinders your ability to work.
Different Types of Medical Evidence You Will Need
To win Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you need a variety of medical documents that display the severity of your symptoms:
Doctor’s Reports
Medical reports from your primary healthcare provider are foundational in disability claims.
These reports can include:
- Diagnosis: A concise description of your condition.
- Prognosis: The likely course and outcome of your disability.
- Functional Limitations: The impact of your condition on daily tasks and work.
Crucial fact: According to the SSA guidelines, doctors’ opinions supported by clinical findings carry the most weight in disability claim resolutions.
Diagnostic Test Results
Objective diagnostic reports are crucial medical evidence that validates your condition and supports your claim.
Test results provide factual and measurable proof of the severity of your health condition.
These are some diagnostic test examples that enhance a claim:
- X-rays
- Blood tests
- MRIs
- Biopsies
- Ultrasounds
- CT scans
Hospital and Clinic Records
Hospital records present a detailed history of your disability development and medical treatment.
These records include:
- Emergency visits
- Surgeries
- Hospitalizations related to your condition
That information displays the seriousness of your impairment and the level of care you have required.
Treatment Plans—Medication and Rehabilitation
A treatment plan is a detailed action course your doctor recommended to manage your condition.
This can include prescription medications, physical or mental therapies, and lifestyle changes.
Consistent adherence to that plan demonstrates your commitment to improving your health. The SSA favors claimants doing their best to recover and improve their condition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Medical Evidence
Being aware of common medical evidence mistakes many claimants make can help you avoid them and enhance your chances of winning SSDI:
- Not seeing a doctor regularly: Irregular doctor’s visits and medical treatment can weaken your case.
- Incomplete or outdated records: Ensure your evidence is up-to-date, relevant, and comprehensive.
- Neglecting treatment recommendations: Non-compliance with medical advice can hinder your claim’s credibility.
- Overlooking mental health documentation: Many claims can benefit from both physical and psychological evidence.
Working with An Attorney to Build A Strong Case
Disability benefits claims can be challenging. The process is complex and lengthy, but working with a professional attorney can smooth the road.
However, your case is as strong as the medical evidence you provide to your disability lawyer.
The good news is that attorneys are adept at gathering and organizing medical proof.
How Will A Lawyer Help You Enhance Your Medical Evidence?
Let’s see how a disability attorney can help you enhance your case:
- Collect medical evidence: Do you want the job of gathering medical evidence off your hands? Your lawyer can handle this task for you.
- Contact clinics and doctors: The lawyer will contact your healthcare providers, clinics, or hospitals where you have received consultations, tests, or treatments.
- Request doctor’s testimony: Your attorney can request a letter from your healthcare provider. This extra medical statement can enhance your claim by helping the SSA to understand the severity of your disability.
- Create a compelling narrative: Finally, your attorney will arrange the evidence in a way that effectively demonstrates the onset and progression of your impairment. This will further establish how your disability affects your ability to perform daily activities and perform work-related tasks.
Things You Can Do to Help Your Attorney Obtain Medical Records
Working with a seasoned lawyer is like having an ace up your sleeve.
Attorneys know the ins and outs of SSDI claims and can help you achieve your benefits faster.
However, that doesn’t mean you can do nothing to help them strengthen your case.
Claimants and lawyers collaborating together make the dream team.
If you already have access to your medical records, you can ensure your attorney access to the documents more rapidly. For example, many clinics offer internet portals where patients can access and download a copy of their medical records.
Additionally, you can keep a journal with detailed information about your disability, the symptoms, doctors’ visits, treatment, and how it impacts your daily life. All that information can help the SSA understand your condition and how it stops you from working.
Enhance Your Case with Strong Medical Evidence
Medical evidence is the cornerstone of any SSDI claim.
The more relevant and comprehensive evidence you submit, the better your chances of securing disability benefits.
Additional tactics, such as keeping a medical journal or hiring a disability lawyer, can further enhance your claim and help you win benefits.
