Disability Audio is a regularly updated podcast that provides information about the Social Security Disability and SSI disability benefit system. It is produced by former Disability Claims Examiner Tim Moore, who previously worked for the Social Security Administration’s “DDS”, or Disability Determination Services agency.
More resources on the Social Security Disability Resource Page.
Description of this podcast segment:
This page addresses the impact of the opinions of treating physicians on social security disability and SSI disability claims. Many individuals who file for disability benefits make the assumption that their own doctor may have a significant on the outcome of their case. And to some extent this is absolutely true. However, the extent of the impact is mediated by several factors: A) Is the case being decided at the disability application level, the reconsideration appeal level, or the disability hearing level; B) Has the claimant’s physician’s provided a medical source statement in support of the claimant’s case, or has the physician simply provided medical records as requested.
As a former disability examiner, I can report that social security disability is dysfunctional in this sense: the opinions of a claimant’s own doctors are typically given scant consideration by examiners at the lower levels of consideration (initial claim and reconsideration), even when the physician provides a detailed objective statement in support of a claim. However, at the social security disability hearing level, a medical source statement or a physician’s opinion provided on a RFC, or residual functional capacity, form can provide a solid basis for an administrative law judge to award ongoing and past due benefits to a claimant.
Other Posts
Social Security Disability Eligibility
Filing for Disability
Will I be Found Disabled for Social Security Disability?
Social Security Disability Claim Decisions
Applying for Disability with Fibromyalgia and Fibrofog
Lupus and Social Security Disability Benefits
