Evidentiary Requirements When Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits

Disability, according to the Social Security Administration or SSA

, is defined as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity or SGA (thus, work as an employee), because of physical or mental impairment(s) that is/are medically determinable. The impairment(s) can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or is expected to last for not less than a year. This SSA definition is used to determine the persons eligibility to receive disability benefits.

It is a requirement for all prospective applicants with disabilities that when they file a claim, they should make it a point to provide pieces of medical evidence. Applicants must be responsible with the submission of medical evidence that would show that he has indeed a medical impairment and its severity. The SSA, however, can help the applicant with his medical reports from his medical sources, especially if the applicant does not have the ability to do so.

The SSA requires applicants to submit their documentations made by their treating medical professionals that, pursuant of SSA regulations, are deemed reasonable medical sources. They are considered as such provided that they promptly established certain impairments. These reasonable medical sources could be any one of the following:

Licensed physicians

Licensed psychologists (cognitive ailments such as mental retardation and learning disabilities)

Licensed optometrists (visual ailments)

Licensed podiatrists (foot and/or ankle ailments)

Speech-language pathologists (speech or language impairments) licensed by a State education agency or a Certificate of Clinical Competence holder

Aside from reasonable medical sources, the SSA also requires applicants to submit medical evidence from treating sources and health facilities. Since some applicants stay in hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities, it is important that records from treating medical professionals and health care facilities must also be reviewed by the SSA. Other than that, the SSA may also require applicants to submit medical evidence from public and private agencies, social workers and other practitioners.

Medical reports about the applicants impairments are to be provided by their treating medical professionals to the SSA. They include an applicants medical history, clinical findings, laboratory findings, diagnosis, prescribed treatment, and statements regarding the applicants abilities despite his impairment.

An applicant, after all the important medical documents are submitted, may get denied of his application for disability benefits. The SSAs decision to do so may be brought by the lack of adequate information needed to determine an applicants eligibility to receive benefits. As such, it would be beneficial if he contacts a Santa Monica attorney who specializes in social security laws to prepare an appeal for reconsideration.

by: ashleycasas

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