Can You Get Disability Without Having Seen a Doctor?

Disability benefits are a lifeline to many Americans who have been hurt or become disabled and are unable to work. However, getting a disability claim approved can be a tedious process that requires copious medical documentation and a medical evaluation, leaving many people wondering if they can avoid seeing a disability paperwork doctor for a disability assessment.

Disability applicants will need to get a good understanding of the disability requirements before deciding whether or not it is necessary to see a doctor to receive an approval. A disability attorney is a great resource to have to help you complete a printable disability application or a state DB-450 form with all of the medical evidence needed to improve the chance of approval.

Understanding Disability Claims Without Regular Doctor Visits

Regular visits with medical professionals may provide an individual with evidence needed to show the Social Security Administration (SSA) a person’s medical history and whether they have a medical impairment. Without such substantiating evidence, the SSA may deny your claim. 

• Why Medical Evidence is Critical in Disability Applications?

The easiest way to get on disability is to have sufficient evidence that you are truly disabled. Medical evidence provides the SSA with objective proof of a disability and can show how such a disability affects a person’s ability to work. Evidence such as medical reports, medical diagnosis, and medical tests may show that a person has functional limitations that prevent them from working and that they are eligible for disability.

• The Role of Doctors in Establishing Disability Claims?

Medical providers play a crucial role in establishing disability claims for potential recipients by providing evidence and expert opinions, such as a proof of disability letter, to support an individual’s claim that they are unable to work due to some sort of disability.

Regular doctor’s visits can create a record of a person’s treatment history from healthcare professionals and how said person meets certain disability criteria, such as having functional limitations, making it easier to fill out the social security forms for doctors. Furthermore, doctors that help with disability claims also perform a consultative examination on behalf of the SSA if they do not have enough evidence to render a disability decision in the disability claimant’s favor. 

Is It Possible to Obtain Disability Without Seeing a Doctor?

While it may be technically possible to qualify for disability without seeing a doctor regularly, it significantly reduces the chances of your disability review being approved by the disability examiners.

• Exploring Alternative Proof of Disability

While medical evidence is important, there are ways to provide alternative proof of a disability especially if you don’t have insurance during the disability application process including:

• Physical or occupational therapy records – these types of therapists can conduct functional capacity evaluation that, while not a proper medical evaluation, can show how your disability impacts your ability to work. Vocational rehabilitation records may also be used as evidence.
• Symptom Logs – in lieu of a medical assessment, some people create a daily log as to how symptoms affect their ability to do daily tasks and work. These can include the severity and regularity of these medical symptoms and if anything, such as prescription medication, relieves these symptoms. However, these logs lack objectivity and the medical expertise of a disability evaluation.
• Lay Evidence – statements from friends, family, co-workers, or employers as to how your medical condition and physical limitations affect your daily life and ability to work, with or without prescription medications, can be used to support a claim without medical care.

• Understanding Consultative Examinations and Their Importance

Consultative examinations are part of the disability determination process when the SSA does not have enough medical proof to determine the disability status of an applicant. These exams are done by a third-party doctor selected by the SSA and are not an optional part of the process, with refusal to attend potentially leading to the denial of benefits.

• How Consultative Exams Can Substitute Regular Medical Evidence

Oftentimes, when you apply for disability benefits and haven’t seen a doctor for a significant period of time or their medical records are not up to date, the SSA will order a consultative examination to determine if a medical condition meets the criteria as a disability.

This portion of the disability process can substitute for a regular doctors note for disability as the selected doctor will ask about your medical history such as you disability onset date, symptoms, and limitations and may also run ancillary tests, such as by taking X-rays, and by gathering other relevant information that may determine your residual functional capacity for a RFC form. They will then create a report for the disability examiner including their findings and assessments on your disability status.

Choosing the Right Specialist for Your Consultative Exam

Generally, a person cannot choose their own specialist for a consultative exam and the SSA choses the doctor who performs the exam. However, if you have a specific specialist in mind, you can request them, but the final decision is up to the SSA claims examiner. A disability attorney may be able to help you navigate this portion of the disability claim process so that you get the best medical opinion and medical proof.

• Use of Previous Medical Records and Documentation

Additionally, you may be able to use previous medical records and medical treatment documentation to support your disability claim including treatment for mental conditions. While this information may be useful, the SSA prefers recent medical documentation and, depending on how old these records are, the SSA may order a consultative examination to determine if your disability is in the Blue Book listing.

• Third-Party Statements and Witnesses in Supporting Your Case

Third-party statements and witnesses can support your case by providing statements and evidence as to how your disability affects your daily life and ability to work. While statements from family and friends are acceptable, statements from your co-workers, employers, or other objective parties about your work history will carry more weight when it comes to a disability determination.

Navigating Financial and Access Barriers to Medical Treatment

Many people with disabilities face financial and access barriers to medical treatment, meaning that disability insurance would be most useful to a person who:

• Cannot work because they are disabled.
• People who are ineligible for programs like Medicaid health insurance. 
• Have disabilities that require regular medical care.
• Have limited access to medical care in their area.

If you have financial or access barriers to medical treatment that are preventing you from getting a doctor’s support for medical evidence to get disability support services, gather as much alternative evidence as possible and take advantage of a consultative exam.

Legal Assistance: How a Disability Lawyer Can Enhance Your Claim

A disability lawyer provides you with experience to enhance your disability claim and is one of the best ways to help ensure that your claim is approved. A Pennsylvania disability lawyer can help  pair you with the best disability insurance medical opinions and documentation so that your claim is strong. Plus, if your claim is denied, they can file a disability appeal to an administrative law judge for a disability hearing.

The Law Offices of Chermol & Fishman, LLC have years of experience when it comes to helping people with their disability claims, bringing  extensive knowledge of the Social Security disability system to the table. They will provide you with zealous legal representation for your claim, helping you collect strong evidence for and supporting you throughout the entire process, even if you have previously had a disability denial. Contact Chermol & Fishman today to set up a consultation.