Our Skilled Social Security Disability Lawyer Helps Clients Gather the Documentation Needed to Support Their SSDI Claims
Comprehensive medical documentation is crucial when applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and notes from your treating physicians can play a pivotal role in determining whether you qualify. Unfortunately, doctors often have busy schedules that can make it difficult to provide the detailed notes necessary for a successful claim. Understanding this challenge is the first step in addressing it, and Phillip M. Hendry Law can help.
Our experienced Louisiana Social Security disability lawyer guides clients through the complex SSDI application process, including gathering medical records and other evidence to support your claim. Are you having trouble getting detailed notes from your doctors? Contact us to schedule a free consultation to find out how we can assist you.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) initially denies approximately 70 percent of SSDI applications. Insufficient medical evidence is a common reason for these denials. Thorough notes from your physicians about your medical condition, symptoms, severity, impact on your daily life, and ability to engage in substantial gainful activity can provide a comprehensive overview of your health and offer the SSA a clearer understanding of the limitations your disability causes. Sadly, doctors rarely take in-depth notes like these of their own accord.
Strategies for Getting Your Doctors to Take More Thorough—and More Effective—Notes for Your SSDI Claim
Getting your treating physicians to take detailed notes can be challenging, but it isn’t impossible. Here, we offer tips for getting exhaustive notes and better cooperation from your doctors.
Build Strong Doctor-Patient Relationships
Establishing a positive, trusted professional relationship with your health care providers is particularly critical when applying for SSDI. Regular appointments and open communication contribute to a better understanding of your condition, enabling your doctors to provide more detailed and accurate notes when needed.
Be Honest and Direct About Your Condition and Its Effects
Being honest with your doctors requires overriding the ingrained response of saying you’re “fine” when asked about your well-being. Instead, be clear and direct about your symptoms, their severity, and how they impact your life and ability to perform daily activities. Open and honest communication is essential to helping your doctors gain a more holistic understanding of your health.
Keep a Detailed Record of Your Symptoms
Documenting your symptoms is vital to helping your doctors—and the SSA—appreciate the scope of your condition and the challenges it creates in your daily life. Keeping a journal noting the frequency, intensity, duration, and other information about your symptoms and bringing it to each appointment allows your doctors to provide more thorough and accurate medical notes for your SSDI claim.
Ensure That Your Evidence Comes From Acceptable Medical Sources
Proving that you have a disabling medically determinable impairment (MDI) is an integral step in the journey to obtaining approval for SSDI benefits. Therefore, the doctor’s notes and other evidence you submit must come from providers the SSA recognizes as Acceptable Medical Sources (AMS). These sources typically include licensed physicians, psychologists, and other health care professionals who play pivotal roles in your care. Submitting medical evidence from approved sources is imperative to enhancing your claim’s credibility and validity.
Our Experienced Louisiana Social Security Disability Attorney Can Help You Improve Your Chances of SSDI Approval
An experienced Social Security disability lawyer can help you navigate the SSDI application process and enhance your chances of receiving the benefits you deserve by:
- Prioritizing attention to detail
- Encouraging proactive communication with health care providers
- Communicating with the SSA on your behalf
Are you ready to take the first step on the journey to SSDI approval? Take advantage of a free initial consultation to discuss your claim’s strengths and weaknesses and discover how Phillip Hendry Law could help you improve your chances of SSDI approval.