Proving Your Medically Determinable Impairment

The most important factor in determining your eligibility for Social Security disability benefits is that you can provide evidence that you suffer from a medically determinable impairment. The Social Security Administration classifies a condition that can be medically proven as a medically determinable impairment.

Not only must your impairment be substantial enough to prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity, but it also must be documented by professional means. A simple listing of symptoms and signs of a condition is not sufficient evidence to classify you as disabled and eligible for benefits. You will need to provide medical evidence that you suffer from the condition and have been under a doctor's care for diagnosis and management.

The most common types of evidence used to support a medically determinable impairment are laboratory tests, doctor reports, and official statements of diagnosis. These forms of evidence must come from licensed medical sources such as a family physician or a specialist such as a chiropractor.

To avoid having to appeal a denied Social Security disability benefits claim you should provide as much medical evidence of your medically determinable impairment as possible. There's no harm in providing too much medical documentation - but a lack of documentation may result in your having to file an appeal, delaying the start of your benefits.

A Staten Island disability lawyer can assist you in gathering the proper evidence to help support your Social Security disability claim. The more substantial your evidence is in support of your medically determinable impairment, the better your chances are of getting your claim approved outright. Even if you do receive an initial denial of benefits, your lawyer can assist you through the appeals process.

Contacting a Staten Island Disability Lawyer

Before you file your Social Security disability claim, be sure to take advantage of this free consumer's guide: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Social Security Disability Claim. Contact a New York Social Security disability lawyer at Decker, Decker, Dito & Internicola for help in building your disability claim - 1-800-976-4904.