800-331-3530
NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN THE CASE
800-331-3530
NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN THE CASE
When you first meet with your Troy Social Security disability lawyer, one of the first things you will discuss is the lengthy evaluation procedure implemented by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA is tasked with reviewing millions of claims for disability benefits each year, and has imposed strict guidelines used to determine whether a particular applicant is disabled to the extent that work is impossible. Applicants experiencing the effects of chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia or arthritis, should be prepared to present evidence of the extent of the pain and how it affects his or her ability to continue working.
The SSA will request your medical records to decide, at the outset, whether you have a medically determinable condition causing your chronic pain. You should request medical records from your treating physician right away, as it can sometimes take days or weeks for the medical staff to prepare your documents. Your Troy Social Security disability lawyer can help you if you are facing difficulty retrieving your records. Once your documents are compiled, you must submit everything to the SSA, including your complete medical history, test results, and imaging (X-rays).
The SSA is not under any obligation to accept your doctor’s finding that you are too disabled to work. However, the SSA will place great weight on a doctor’s opinion if that doctor is a specialist in the field, has treated you for an extended period of time, and knows a great deal about your particular medical situation. Your doctor can provide information to the SSA regarding your ability to stand, sit, lift, type, walk, or perform any other physical requirement of your job.
The SSA reviews each case holistically and draws information from a number of sources to determine eligibility for disability benefits. When evaluating patients suffering from chronic pain conditions, the SSA will review daily activities, duration of pain, and common triggers of pain. If you are taking medications, you should include this information in your submitted materials, including dosage, effectiveness, and side effects. If you have pursued other types of treatment, such as acupuncture or Eastern techniques, include this information as well.
For more information about the SSA’s evaluation of chronic pain conditions, contact J.B. Bieske and Jennifer Alfonsi, Attorneys at Law, today by calling 800-331-3530.
