Medical Evidence in a Long Term Disability Claim

If you’re making a long term disability claim, it’ll be your responsibility to prove to social security administration that your medical condition prevents you from earning income. Most people are aware as they begin the process that they will be required to have documentation of this medical condition, but it’s not always clear exactly what type of evidence might be required. In particular, how do you prove not only your medical condition, but how it prevents you from holding employment?

How to Prove Your Disability

The answer to how you prove your disability is not always clear, and can vary depending on your particular medical circumstances. Keep in mind that disability benefits are available to people with any number of medical conditions, ranging from permanent to long term, from physical to mental, and everywhere in between. So the type of “proof” you will need for your case will depend partially upon your individual situation. However, there are a few things to keep in mind as you begin the process of gathering what you’ll need to make your claim.

The key factors that social security administration will look for in examining your claim are

• The limitations of your condition/ how it affects your performance, and
• The requirements of a typical job that you may not be able to perform based on those limitations.

In other words, a medical disability may exist that does not prevent you from performing a job function. If this is the case, you are likely not eligible for benefits because you are capable of holding a job and earning income in spite of your disability. However, if the disability causes limitations that prevent you from performing the job functions, you would be considered eligible. The administration and judges will “match up” the two factors to determine if you should be receiving benefits.

Documentation for a Long Term Disability Claim

As the claimant, your main responsibility will be providing documentation for your claim. This will mean getting medical records and reports from physicians and/ or specialists, who will examine you and determine the nature and extent of your disability. You may also be required, or advised, to visit a third-party specialist (someone who is not your regular physician) to get another neutral opinion on your case; documentation from the third party will help immensely in proving that your condition exists and causes the limitations you are claiming.

Getting Help

Gathering the medical evidence for your disability claim is one of the most important parts of the process, and perhaps your main responsibility as you prepare your case. If you have questions about the process, don’t be afraid to ask the social security administrators and/ or a lawyer versed in disability law. An attorney will be very helpful in providing you with the information you might need in order to go forward with the proper documentation in place, thus making your case run more smoothly and efficiently and ensuring a fair outcome.