Doctors and Social Security Disability Claimants
It’s a well-known fact that doctors are extremely busy with their work. Sometimes it can take a person weeks to finally get into a doctor’s office. With little time to take on extra tasks, doctors might be reluctant to write letters and fill out forms for Social Security Disability claimants.
If your doctor does agree to help you, it is a great way to gain some support for your initial Social Security disability claim or appeal. A written report of your condition is a persuasive way of helping you win your benefits. However, make sure the doctor writes down plenty of detail when he writes your letter. “My patient John Doe is unable to work” isn’t going to cut the mustard when it comes to Social Security examiners or administrative law judges. Officials need objective medical findings with plenty of detail, explaining why someone is disabled. When the doctor writes your letter, make sure that he explains your diagnosis, restrictions (what you can’t do), and your prognosis for recovery.
If you are making your initial Social Security disability claim, make sure you get all of your relevant medical records while you are at the doctor’s office. Any emergency room visits, hospital admissions and treatment notes will be important. These records should illustrate your illness or injury from one year before the date you became disabled to the present day. The records should also include all tests, such as MRIs, X-rays and blood work, that have been performed during that time period.
Sometimes patients learn that their doctors will not cooperate with their case. If you can’t get support from your doctor to receive Social Security disability benefits, it could mean that he does not think your case is strong enough to win. Also, it could mean that it is time to see a new doctor. Receiving a second opinion is always a good idea if you believe that you are disabled – and no one knows you better than you. Doctors have been wrong before, so going to visit a new doctor could help your claim.