You may never encounter another situation that requires you to explain your medical conditions in such detail as with an SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) application. To understand why the SSA (Social Security Administration) is so focused on medical records, you must realize that the caseworker is making decisions based on what you provide with your application and that information may be incomplete. To find out more about the need for accurate and complete medical information, read below. 

What to Know About Medical Evidence 

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must have a medical condition that meets the Social Security Administration's (SSA) definition of disability. To establish that you have a disability, you will need to provide medical evidence that shows:

The nature and extent of your medical condition: This includes documentation of the medical condition or injury that is causing your disability. You will need to provide medical records, diagnostic test results, and other documentation that describes the nature and extent of your impairment.

The severity of your medical condition: To qualify for SSDI benefits, your medical condition must be severe enough to prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA). You will need to provide medical evidence that shows the severity of your condition, such as test results, treatment records, and statements from your healthcare providers.

The duration of your medical condition: Your medical condition must be expected to last a certain amount of time or result in death to qualify for SSDI benefits. You will need to provide medical evidence that shows the expected duration of your impairment.

The impact of your medical condition on your ability to work: The SSA will consider the impact of your medical condition on your ability to perform work-related activities. You will need to provide medical evidence that shows how your impairment affects your ability to stand, sit, walk, lift, carry, and perform other work-related activities.

Some specific examples of medical evidence that may be relevant to your disability claim include:

• Medical records from your doctors and hospitals
• Diagnostic test results (e.g., x-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
• Medication lists and treatment plans
• Statements from your healthcare providers about your condition and limitations
• Work history and job descriptions
• Mental health evaluations and treatment records (if applicable)

Overall, it's important to provide as much medical evidence as possible to support your disability claim. A Social Security lawyer can help you gather and organize this evidence to ensure that your claim is as strong as possible.

To find out more, contact a company like Bernstein & Bernstein.