Social Security Disability Tips

Over the past 20 years, our Social Security Attorneys have successfully helped thousands of claimants obtain their Social Security disability benefits. For a free appointment call us at 787-344-9219. Based on said experience, we recommend that you take into consideration the following tips to effectively present your disability claim:

Tip Number 1. 

Do not miss your medical appointments unless it is an emergency. If you miss an appointment, try to reschedule it as soon as possible. Social Security might consider your absences as abandonment of treatment and assume that your medical condition has improved and that you are not disabled. They typically also do not accept, as an excuse for missing your medical appointments, any issues you may have with health plans.

Tip Number 2. 

Try to visit your specialist doctors as frequently as possible and/or every month or every 2 months. If you visit every 3 to 6 months, Social Security will probably consider that your condition is mild or moderate. Also, the mere fact that you take medications but do not visit your specialist doctor regularly will not impress Social Security. 

Tip Number 3. 

Truthfully tell your doctors about all your pains, symptoms, and limitations. Make sure your limitations are documented in the medical file and/or in your Doctor's progress notes. Social Security generally does not disable people for mild or moderate conditions. It is extremely important and critical for the case that all your symptoms and complaints are properly documented and corroborated by your doctor and that you tell the truth.

Tip Number 4. 

Have your doctor fill out the Social Security Report that your lawyer or Social Security will provide later on the limitations you have. Ask the doctor to fill out the report when you are at your regular appointment with him or her. Do not hand over the report to a secretary or assistant of the doctor as they will probably tell you that the doctor is not going to fill it out or does not have time for it. Without a medical report on your conditions, it is unlikely that your case will be approved.

Tip Number 5. 

Tell your doctor about any side effects of the medications. Whether they make you sleepy, slows you down, gives you nausea or stomach discomfort, etc., and make sure your doctor documents it in their progress notes.

Tip Number 6. 

Social Security pays attention to the dosage of the medications. For example, if you have mild doses of medications, Social Security may assume that your medical condition is mild or moderate and that you are not disabled. Also, you must comply with the treatment indicated by your doctor. If your doctor indicates that you are not taking the medications or that you are not following their instructions, the agency could use it as a basis to deny the case.

Tip Number 7. 

Try to accept any treatment that your doctor recommends, whether it is hospitalization, therapies, surgery, or an increase in the dosage of the medication. When evaluating a case for emotional conditions, Social Security gives considerable weight to recent psychiatric hospitalizations and treatment with a psychologist. Also, try to visit all the doctors and specialists you can.

Tip Number 8. 

Send us or bring to our lawyers' office any document you have related to your medical conditions. Never send documents directly to Social Security without first consulting with the lawyer since the agency sometimes files or loses your medical records incorrectly. Also, always consult with our lawyers any doubts you have before doing anything related to your disability case.

Tip Number 9. 

Try to avoid calling Social Security directly. Every time you call, the Social Security staff has to make a contact report and describe your mental status. For example, they have to indicate if you were logical, relevant, and coherent, among other things. Also, anything you say can be used against you for the case.

Tip Number 10. 

Social Security can access any of your social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., and/or send an agent to investigate what you do when you leave your house and then make a report. Also, it is not advisable to go on a trip while you are fighting Social Security. Unfortunately, a trip can give the wrong impression that your medical conditions are mild and Social Security could use your trip as a basis to deny the case.

We hope these recommendations have been useful to you and we wish you much success in your case. If you have any further questions or doubts, call us at 787-344-9219 for a free consultation with our Social Security lawyers or visit our main page for more information.