General

Social Security Disability is all about proving that you are disabled with your medical records.

This means you should have proof of your problems and limitations through your doctor and hospital visits.

Just telling the Social Security Judge that you are in pain and cannot work is not enough to win your case.

Think of it from the Administrative Law Judge’s point of view:

Someone comes to you and tells you that that their back hurts and keeps them from walking and standing except for short periods during the day, but they only have records from their doctor showing they came for appointments 2 times during the year and complained on some low back pain but did not mention problems walking and standing. They also have no back xrays or MRI.

What would you think? Probably not very strong proof of problems is it.

It makes sense that if you truly have problems that you will go to the doctor often and complain about your pain and limitations.

The take away is that you should go to the doctor every couple of months and describe in detail your problems and limitations.

This does not mean that you tell your doctor that you are disabled and want to get on Social Security disability. These are just words to a Social Security Judge. What really makes a difference is what symptoms you have and how it impacts your daily life.

I know this is not easy.

Many people have problems paying for medical treatment.

But if you are disabled and need Social Security Disability you will have to see the doctor and tell the doctor about your problems. There really is no shortcut.

Questions about your disability? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Pain is a very important factor in a Social Security Disability case.

The reason is that it limits many things you can at home and in a work setting.

The problem is that pain is very difficult to prove and measure.

Most doctors will tell you that there really is no way to test whether pain is present and measure the extent of your pain.

Some objective tests will show that there are reasons a person may be in pain.

Such as an xray that shows broken bones, or an MRI that shows a herniated disc pressing on a nerve, or a nerve test showing neuropathy or radicular pain.

However, pain may exist without any of these indicators.

You are entitled to testify about your pain and how it affects your concentration and ability to function, however, it helps to have supporting documentation.

This may include letters from families and friend describing how you appear to be in pain and what it keeps you from doing.

You might also have your doctor explain in a letter that it is reasonable for you to experience pain and the reasons for this.

A pain diary may also be helpful.

This is basically a journal or notebook describing the type of pain you have each day and what you were able to do or not do as a result of the pain.

Questions about the best way to explain your problems to Social Security? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.