GET A 'MEDICAL SOURCE STATEMENT' FROM YOUR DOCTOR (PT. 2)

TODAY'S TIP:Get a medical source statement from your doctor.

This is perhaps the most important tip that can help get you approved.

No, Social Security will NOT ask for this and they will not do it for you.  You must go to your doctor and get it yourself and send it to Social Security.  Then, call and make sure they got it.  (They loose stuff).

What is a medical source statement?  For physical conditions, it is a 7 page form that asks the doctor many detailed questions about what you can and cannot do, physically.  (For mental conditions, there is a 3 page form).  This information is NOT contained in your doctor's medical records.  Getting this form is above and beyond anything Social Security will do for you.  Let me stress, you must take the initiative and take charge of this part of the claim for yourself - between you and your doctor who treats you.

This form may be the single most important key to winning a Social Security disability claim.  That's because Social Security goes by functional limitations (what you can no longer do), not by fact that you have a certain medical condition.

Medical Records - Focus on diagnosis of your illness and what treatment was given.

Medical Source Statements - Focus on your function - what you can and cannot do.

Which one does Social Security pay more attention to?  Function.  That means the Medical Source Statement signed by your doctor may weigh 100 times more than just the medical records.  (Note:  Some doctors will not complete a MSS  but if yours will, it is often worth the effort).