Medical Source Statement from a Doctor Can Help with Approval
Applying for social security disability benefits can be a complex process, which isn’t helpful to someone in need. Having an attorney assist with the process from the start – or if you’ve been denied benefits – can significantly increase the chances of being approved.
Your primary care doctor can also help the process along by providing in-depth documentation that supports your case. To receive social security disability benefits (SSDI), you need to provide evidence that you cannot work and will be unable to for at least 12 months. Your doctor can complete a Medical Source Statement that speaks to your condition and its severity.
What Should Be on a Medical Source Statement?
Some disabilities may speak for themselves and be approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA) without being questioned. However, with others, supporting documentation is going to be what proves to the SSA that your condition is worthy of receiving benefits. What should the Medical Source Statement include that can help get you approved for services?
- Diagnosed Medical Condition. To qualify for SSDI, you must be diagnosed with a medical condition or impairment by a licensed professional. Also, it must affect your ability to perform your job. In the scenario where you don’t have a plethora of medical records to fall back on, your doctor can detail your condition on the Medical Source Statement. This can not only include the conditions but the associated limitations with them.
- Explanation of Meeting Disability Requirements. On the Medical Source Statement, your doctor can detail your condition and whether it meets the requirements of a disability related to your particular impairment. This will be related to what is found in the SSA Blue Book for the given disability.
- Detailed Description of Functional Capacity. For many disabilities, a simple statement from the doctor that you are disabled isn’t enough detail to get approval. A detailed description of residual functional capacity related to your work will go a long way. For example, detailing out how long you are able to stand, walk, and sit – and how much you can carry within the workday is helpful. Obviously, the limitations listed would relate directly to the job that you have. This can include use of hands, ability to climb stairs, ability to interact with customers, and so on. Any limitations, however minor, will be helpful in determining your ability to work and help any chance of receiving SSDI.
- Strain of a Regular Work Week. You may technically be able to perform your job for a given length of time but would not be able to sustain a full 40-hour workweek. If this is the case, the limitations and difficulty in maintaining a regular work schedule should be detailed on the Medical Source Statement.
Medical Source Statement Should Coincide with Medical Records
While a detailed Medical Source Statement from your doctor can help improve your chances of being approved for social security disability benefits, the SSA will be comparing it to your on-file medical records. Any discrepancies between what your doctor provided on the statement and your actual medical records could come into question. The SSA has the right to reject the Medical Source Statement if they do not feel that it is in line with your actual condition.
However, if the Medical Source Statement is well thought out, detailed, and coincides with medical records, it can be a vital resource in your application for benefits.
If you have questions about a Medical Source Statement or would like to improve your chances with the help of an attorney, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Tabak Law. The firm is one of the top SSDI law firms in the country, having helped thousands with receiving their SSDI benefits. Call them today at 800-245-1430.