The doctor responsible for treating your condition plays a crucial role in your Social Security Disability determination. Here’s a rundown of why the SSA takes this opinion so seriously, as explained by Albuquerque NM Social Security attorney Michelle Baca.
Why is the treating doctor’s opinion required for a successful claim?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) believes that a treating doctor is the most qualified to analyze a claimant’s impairments in a detailed way. Objective medical evidence can only tell so much about a claimant’s disability, while a treating doctor can bring more thorough analysis to the table. Reports of individual examinations or consultative examinations as arranged by the SSA cannot always provide the perspective that a treating physician can bring. Thus, the treating doctor is offered special consideration.
What information must the treating doctor provide?
The treating physician may be requested to witness to the nature, extent, severity and duration of the patient’s condition. This may include observations about their functional capacity, effects of their treatment, and expected duration of the impairment. They may specifically be asked about how the impairments will limit the claimant’s ability to perform certain tasks in a sustained manner. A treating physician’s knowledge of a claimant’s condition can help the SSA gain an accurate perspective of the patient’s condition and impairments, making their answers a crucial element in a successful claim.
Without preparation and knowledge of SSA expectations, it could be difficult to successfully pursue Social Security disability. However, with the help of Albuquerque NM Social Security lawyers, you have the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the process. Call 505-872-1142 to speak with Albuquerque NM Social Security attorney Michelle Baca, Attorney at Law, and get the support you need.
