In perhaps about one-third of Social Security disability applications, the agency will want the claimant to go to a doctor of Social Security's choice and be examined. This usually occurs when there are no medical records or very little current medical evidence on which to base a decision.
The question is, "Should you allow Social Security to examine you as part of your application for disability benefits?"
The answer is: Yes, probably. If a claimant refuses an examination, Social Security will act on the limited information that they have, which is probably too little for a favorable decision. So, the claimant gets denied.
My experience has been, however, that an examination by one of Social Security's contracted doctors does not help the claimant to get benefits. No, in most cases I do not believe that the doctors conspire with Social Security to deny claims. It's just that they perform a very quick, superficial examination. And in the rare instance where the doctor actually stumbles upon a serious impairment, Social Security is likely to ignore it and deny the claim, anyway.
What's the cure? Go take the exam as directed but don't expect it to help you much. If your claim gets denied (as most will), get yourself a good attorney or non-attorney representative and appeal immediately.
Your case will wind up before an administrative law judge (ALJ). Your representative can prepare the best case possible and probably get you a fair hearing with the judge. The ALJ is not bound by any previous decision made by Social Security and can issue a new decision favorable to you.
The question is, "Should you allow Social Security to examine you as part of your application for disability benefits?"
The answer is: Yes, probably. If a claimant refuses an examination, Social Security will act on the limited information that they have, which is probably too little for a favorable decision. So, the claimant gets denied.
My experience has been, however, that an examination by one of Social Security's contracted doctors does not help the claimant to get benefits. No, in most cases I do not believe that the doctors conspire with Social Security to deny claims. It's just that they perform a very quick, superficial examination. And in the rare instance where the doctor actually stumbles upon a serious impairment, Social Security is likely to ignore it and deny the claim, anyway.
What's the cure? Go take the exam as directed but don't expect it to help you much. If your claim gets denied (as most will), get yourself a good attorney or non-attorney representative and appeal immediately.
Your case will wind up before an administrative law judge (ALJ). Your representative can prepare the best case possible and probably get you a fair hearing with the judge. The ALJ is not bound by any previous decision made by Social Security and can issue a new decision favorable to you.
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