How to Win a Social Security Disability Case

This is a very fundamental question but has a very long and complicated answer.  Indeed, the Social Security Disability laws and regulations are extremely complex and a winning a Social Security case isn't like baking cookies - you can't just follow a recipe and expect success because each case is different.  The short answer is that a lot of anxiety can be eliminated by contacting an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer who can review your case and devise a strategy. Despite the fact that no one can guarantee a "win" there are certainly some things you can do to improve your chances of winning:

1. Apply Using a Written Application or Online As Opposed to By Telephone

Though Social Security does allow you to apply over the phone (and this may be necessary if you are not able to read or are visually impaired, etc.), there is a good chance that the person on the other end of the line will not be able to accurately transcribe the information you tell him or her. We have all had telephone or email conversations in which something gets "lost in the translation" so if you want to say what you mean and mean what you say, better do it in writing yourself rather than rely on someone else.

2. Fill in the Application Completely

If you leave details out of the Social Security Disability application that itself can be a basis for a denial. Think about it: Say a doctor has been treating you for a certain condition and you accidentally forget to put is or her name down on your application - Social Security may not consider that doctor's diagnoses or treatment of you. So before you submit your application, make sure you review it at least twice to make sure you have submitted all of the requested information.

3. Submit All Medical Records With Your Application

Because Social Security has the ability to request medical records directly from doctors, most people assume that those requests were made and complied with. In fact, many times Social Security will inadvertently fail to request certain medical records, fail to request important updates or the doctor will simply ignore Social Security's medical records request. In those cases, believe it or not, Social Security will decide your case based on the records they have and that's it. If important records are missing, your case may very well be denied. So instead of risking it, better to "take the law into your own hands" and get copies of all your medical records and submit them with your application or bring them or mail to the Social Security Field Office and submit them after you apply.

4. Ask Your Doctor to Complete an Evaluation Form

The Social Security rules require the Social Security Administration to consider the opinion of your treating health care providers. As such, there are certain Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) forms that Social Security Disability attorneys use that your health care providers can fill out to be submitted to Social Security with your application to give Social Security an idea of what your ability is to perform job-related functions like lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, etc. If you contact a Social Security Disability attorney, they can provide those forms to you for free.