SSI

What Social Security Disability & ssi cases win?

The truth is, potentially ANY ssd or ssi disability case can win, simply because the social security administration's disability program is not so much concerned with a claimant's medical condition as it is with the effect that the condition has on a claimant's ability to work.

Now, you may be thinking to yourself: "If that's true, why does Social Security go to the trouble of having an Impairment Listing Manual for disability cases? Well, keep this in mind---not every medical condition is listed in the manual and, of the ones that are, the requirements are fairly tough to meet.

Here's an example. Myocardial Infarctions, commonly referred to as heart attacks, have their own listing in the manual. But if you've had one heart attack and had one "cabbage" (CABG - coronary artery bypass graft), you probably won't be approved for disability benefits based on this listing.

In fact, if you've suffered a heart attack and had to have a CABG X 2 (that is, two main arteries bypassed and grafted), the odds are still good that you won't be approved.

Whether the condition you suffer from is in the listing book, or not, though, makes no difference. What does make a difference to your case is how your condition affects your ability to do past work, and related "other work" (which we've previously discussed).

What disability cases win? They tend to be the cases that are better documented. I'm talking, of course, about medical records.

It's almost unfathomable, but it happens all the time: claimants try to win social security disability benefits...but haven't been to a doctor in months, or don't go to their doctor but once every four months. It is IMPOSSIBLE to win a disability case with medical treatment so infrequent.

What disability claimants need to know and realize is this: social security bases it's decisions on medical evidence. And nothing else. Statements from employers, relatives, etc, are practically worthless in most cases. What counts, for the purpose of winning a disability case, is the medical evidence.

But the records themselves, of course, are not the full extent of the medical evidence. Supporting statements from physicians also count as evidence, as long as the statements point out to the disability examiner (or the judge in the case) exactly WHY the claimant is disabled. For this reason, a doctor's statment, by necessity, must be detailed.

The key to winning a disability case is mainly this: making sure the proper evidence is in place. So, toward this end, make sure you are seen regularly by your doctors, and develop a rapport with them so, when the time comes, you can get a persuasive and detailed letter written on your behalf.

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