Medical Documentation Required for a SSDI Application
When you apply for Social Security disability benefits you must provide medical evidence with your application that proves that you meet the Social Security Administration’s requirements to receive benefits. The medical evidence that you provide should also indicate why your condition makes it impossible for you to work.
Blue Book Listing Evidence
The Social Security Administration has a book that contains a listing for every one of the physical and mental health conditions that qualify someone to receive disability benefits. It’s called the Blue Book. And every listing in the Blue Book has a set of requirements. You need to submit medical evidence showing that you meet all of those requirements in order to be approved for disability benefits.
To find out if your condition is in the Blue Book you can search through the Blue Book online on the SSA’s website or you can look at a hard copy of the book at the SSA office closest to you. Find the listing for the condition that you have and read through all of the required evidence. It’s very important that you include as much medical evidence as you can with your application.
Other Evidence
If your condition isn’t listed in the Blue Book or you don’t meet the specific requirements in the Blue Book for the condition that you have you can qualify with medical evidence and an RFC assessment.
An RFC assessment gives your doctor the chance to describe in as much detail as they can what your symptoms are and how they make it impossible for you to work. You will still need to submit medical evidence, but an RFC from your doctor can help your case.
For example, if you have such severe balance issues that you can’t walk more than a few steps without becoming dizzy or falling your doctor can fill out an RFC that describes that your balance issues are so bad you wouldn’t be able to travel to or from a job so you can’t work.
Acceptable Medical Sources
Medical evidence submitted to the Social Security Administration to prove that you are disabled and can’t work because of a medical condition needs to come from an acceptable medical source. You will need a letter of diagnosis from a licensed doctor along with other evidence including X-rays, MRIs, blood tests, PET scans, biopsies, and more. Acceptable medical sources include:
- Licensed doctors
- Licensed nurses or medical staff
- Licensed psychologists
- Counselors
- Social workers
- Teachers
- School psychologists
And other licensed or credentialed professionals who work in the medical or mental health fields.
Get Help With Your Claim
If you are not sure if you have enough medical evidence or the right medical evidence to support your application for Social Security disability benefits you should speak with an experienced disability lawyer today. Fill out a Free Case Evaluation now to get connected to an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to this website who may be able to help you gather the medical documents you need to apply for SSDI.
