A large majority of Social Security Disability
claims take several appeals before they are finally successful. In and
around Sacramento, the entire process can take over two years. However,
there are steps you can take throughout this period in order to make your case
as strong as possible.
The most important thing to remember is that
Social Security Disability claims can only be successful if there is medical
evidence to support those claims. This means that there must be medical
records detailing your disabilities that the SSA representative and/or
Administrative Law Judge can review. Ideally, there will be records from
the date that you claim to have become disabled on, up through the present
date. In order to ensure that there are sufficient medical records
documenting your disabilities, you must see your medical providers as regularly
as possible. This is true even if you have been told that there is
nothing else that your health professionals can do for you; if there is no
further treatment to undergo, continue to see them regularly for checkups.
While medical records are arguably the most
important evidence in determining disability, other evidence is also
useful. One particularly useful piece of evidence is called a Residual
Functional Capacity form (also called a Medical Source Statement). This
is a form that is filled out by your health professionals, and that gives their
opinions on your specific limitations in the way that the Social Security Administration
views them. This form can be found on the Social Security
Administration's website. Keep in mind that not all medical providers
feel comfortable filling these forms out, and that's okay. While they're
helpful, they’re not necessary. If you do get a form filled out, it
should be submitted to the Social Security Administration as soon as
possible. Depending on the impairments (specific disabilities) that you
are alleging, it may be helpful to get Residual Functional Capacity forms from
several different physicians (for example an orthopedic doctor, a pain
management specialist, and a psychiatrist). It is also useful to get
repeated forms from the same doctor after some time has passed, in order to
show if your condition has gotten better, worse, or stayed the same.
A Social Security Disability lawyer can help
ensure that you are seeing the correct health care professionals, and that your
medical records are being submitted timely to the Social Security
Administration. They can also work with your health care providers to
have Residual Functional Capacity forms filled out on your behalf.
If you have questions or are interested in starting the social security application process, please contact attorney Andrew Doriott at (916) 491-4224.
If you have questions or are interested in starting the social security application process, please contact attorney Andrew Doriott at (916) 491-4224.