Social Security Disability Benefits: Your Doctor’s Medical Evaluation
Key to the Social Security Administration’s evaluation of your impairment is what is known as the Residual Functional Capacity Form. This lengthy and detailed form contains questions regarding your impairment and the limitations imposed by your impairment. You may not fill out this form yourself; this form is meant to get your treating doctor’s assessment of the severity and implications of your impairment. You or your Florida Social Security disability attorney will be responsible for gathering any records or other evidence that can substantiate the assessment. Thorough and accurate completion of this form, as well as any supplementary material you can provide, can strongly affect your case’s odds for success.
Because this form is so important, some claimants worry that it cannot accurately capture all the aspects of their impairment. However, the Social Security Administration will respect any explanatory notes your doctor writes in the margins of the form while completing it. You doctor will want to give the most thorough and accurate assessment he can, and most doctors that fill out this form write such explanatory notes because they feel that their answers alone would not adequately reflect their patient’s impairment. As always, the more detailed a medical opinion is, the more persuasive the Social Security Administration is likely to find it.
Unless you are positively bedridden, it is likely your doctor will assess you as being somewhat capable, able to work at least part time or with special accommodation. Do not be worried: being somewhat capable is normal for disabled people and will not destroy your case. In fact, most judges and doctors believe that everyone can and should work at least a little despite their disabilities. Your doctor’s assessment of exactly what is needed for you to be able to work (for example, more frequent breaks, special allowances for time off, special furniture etc.) can help your case, as it informs the Social Security Administration of exactly what benefits they should grant you.
If you are still concerned about your medical status and wish to appeal a denial of benefits, call Florida Social Security disability attorney Claudeth Henry today.