To qualify for Social Security disability benefits in Arkansas, you need to provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) with evidence that you suffer from a medical impairment that limits your ability to work. Medical evidence is the key component in demonstrating the severity of your condition. If you lack a detailed opinion or diagnosis from your treating physician, your application for benefits will likely be denied.
Approximately 65% of initial disability applications for disability are denied. Many claimants are not approved because they submit insufficient medical evidence. However, medical records often do not tell the complete story. A comprehensive written medical source statement from your doctor could give your medical evidence context. The SSA will rely on the documentation you provide to determine if your medical condition meets their stringent disability requirements. You want to ensure you provide enough to sway the decision in your favor.
Our team of Fayetteville, AR disability attorneys, and staff have been handling challenging disability cases for decades. Part of the process is knowing what type of evidence the SSA requires. A critical part of that evidence is confirmation from your doctor. Call (479) 316-0438 to discuss the first steps you need to take to obtain the disability benefits you deserve.
The Importance of Your Doctor’s Supporting Evidence When Applying for Disability in Arkansas
Your doctor’s opinion in a Social Security disability case is vitally important. You need a licensed medical professional to run diagnostic tests, diagnose your condition, and prescribe a treatment. Without a diagnosis and treatment, you will not receive disability benefits. Therefore, it is crucial to have your doctor confirm that you are suffering from an impairment that limits your ability to work.
More than anyone else, your treating physician understands your condition and has the intimate knowledge to speak to its impact and limitations on your ability to perform ordinary tasks. Your medical records demonstrate that you have a medical condition. Your doctor’s testimony details how that condition impacts your ability to work.
However, if your doctor does not believe your condition is serious enough to warrant disability benefits, it will not be helpful. If your treating physician does not support your claim, their opinion could be the primary reason your claim is denied. Our Rogers, AR disability lawyers will help you obtain evidence from your doctor.
Should I See More Than One Doctor When Applying for Disability Benefits in Arkansas
Even though you have one treating physician, you might have to be examined by other doctors or medical experts during the application process. For example, if the SSA believes your medical evidence is insufficient or incomplete for its examiner to make a determination, the SSA might require a consultative examination (CE). However, it is possible that the doctor you are sent to does not specialize in your specific medical condition. Additionally, the doctor conducting the CE is probably unaware of your medical history. In many cases, a CE could hurt your chances of receiving disability benefits. This is one reason why it is important for your treating doctor to provide ample medical evidence and documentation.
You are also not required to see only one doctor. Depending on your condition, you might want to consult with other medical experts for your own benefit. If you have statements from other medical specialists that support your claim, your chances for approval increase. As our Arkansas disability lawyers will attest to, more evidence is often better than not enough.
While many claims are denied because an applicant failed to provide enough evidence, more medical documentation is not helpful if it is the wrong type of evidence. Your doctor should not include any medical documentation that does not pertain to your condition. Everything provided should be focused on proving the severity of your impairment and its impact on your ability to work. If the SSA case examiner is overloaded with immaterial documents, it could hurt your approval chances. Furthermore, irrelevant material could give rise to questions that result in a denial.
Requesting Information From Your Doctor
You play an important role in obtaining the right type of medical evidence from your doctor. Additionally, you should not assume that your doctor knows how your condition affects your ability to accomplish everyday tasks. Unless you are explicit, your doctor might not even be aware that you are thinking about applying for disability. Therefore, before requesting any medical documentation, you should speak with one of our Bentonville disability lawyers. Our office could help you prepare a statement to give your doctor about your condition and its impact. This could prove invaluable in getting the type of evidence you need to convince the SSA of the severity of your condition.
Your doctor might also not be aware of the SSA process or the Blue Book. The Blue Book is a listing of impairments published by the SSA to serve as a guide for their case examiners. It is also a valuable source of information for your doctor. Because you want the medical evidence to specifically relate to your medical impairment, an experienced disability attorney will assist your doctor in preparing the required evidence.
Our Arkansas Disability Lawyers Could Help You Get the Medical Evidence You Need to Apply for Benefits
Being approved for Social Security Disability benefits is not an easy task. Having our experienced Bella Vista disability lawyers handling your application and medical evidence will increase your approval chances. Our office will work closely with your healthcare providers to gather the evidence necessary to support your claim. A written medical source statement from your doctor is crucial. If you or a loved one needs disability benefits, contact our law offices at (479) 316-0438. Our initial consultation is free of charge.