When your Social Security disability claim is denied, you ask for a hearing. That sends your claim to a special judge within the Social Security administration. The judge may ignore all decisions previously made and render a new decision on your claim. As a disability advocate, I find that two kinds of medical evidence is important to present to the judge at a hearing:
One type of evidence is what I call "raw medical data." This would include notes from doctor's office visits, laboratory tests, X-rays, MRIs or other imaging studies, etc. The purpose of this raw data is to prove that you have the conditions you claim to have.
However, this data is often not sufficient to win your disability claim. The second type of medical evidence I want to submit is what I call "opinion evidence." A doctor reviews the patient's medical data and draws conclusions about it. In particular, I want the doctor to state how the patient's medical condition restricts him in performing work related activity. Sometimes I refer to this as a "function report." It is medical opinion concerning such practical matters as lifting, bending, standing, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, etc.
In a related blog, I am going to talk about the third type of evidence that must be taken into account. That would be vocational evidence. Vocational evidence is not so obvious and, if overlooked, can seriously weaken your disability claim.
If you live in Alabama or Middle Tennessee, I am available to help with your Social Security disability claim. Under Social Security law, a representative cannot charge you a fee unless your claim is successful. The link above will take you to my website for more information.
One type of evidence is what I call "raw medical data." This would include notes from doctor's office visits, laboratory tests, X-rays, MRIs or other imaging studies, etc. The purpose of this raw data is to prove that you have the conditions you claim to have.
However, this data is often not sufficient to win your disability claim. The second type of medical evidence I want to submit is what I call "opinion evidence." A doctor reviews the patient's medical data and draws conclusions about it. In particular, I want the doctor to state how the patient's medical condition restricts him in performing work related activity. Sometimes I refer to this as a "function report." It is medical opinion concerning such practical matters as lifting, bending, standing, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, etc.
In a related blog, I am going to talk about the third type of evidence that must be taken into account. That would be vocational evidence. Vocational evidence is not so obvious and, if overlooked, can seriously weaken your disability claim.
If you live in Alabama or Middle Tennessee, I am available to help with your Social Security disability claim. Under Social Security law, a representative cannot charge you a fee unless your claim is successful. The link above will take you to my website for more information.
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