Let the Record Reflect…! The Importance of Medical Records in Your Michigan Social Security Disability Case

Applying for Social Security Disability can be a difficult and confusing challenge. Indeed, many Social Security Disability applicants may find that the Social Security Disability application process is one involving complex rules and regulations, hard-to-understand forms, and a pretzel of a phone tree. However, the Social Security Disability application process becomes even more daunting when an applicant is rejected (which is not unusual, but rather happens more often than not) and must prepare for and await an administrative hearing with an administrative law judge. Many Michigan Social Security Disability applicants find that they do not know where to turn to prepare for their hearing in front of a judge. The truth is that one of the most important pieces of evidence that a Social Security Disability applicant can prepare in advance of their hearing is their medical records.  Accordingly, to help Michigan Social Security Disability applicants better understand this critical component of their Social Security Disability case, particularly when gearing up for an administrative hearing, we discuss the importance of medical records in your Social Security Disability case here.

Medical Records and Your Impairment

The first reason that medical records are so important in your Social Security Disability case is that they provide critical evidence of your medical condition and, accordingly, of your disabling impairment. Social Security Disability applicants, in Michigan and across the country, must show, with objective medical evidence, that they suffer from a severe impairment that disables them from working. Put another way, without medical records, there is no objective medical evidence for the judge to consider when analyzing your disabling impairment, and it is, therefore, highly unlikely that benefits will be granted.

Medical Records and Your Disability Onset Date

Another reason that your medical records are so important in your Social Security Disability case is that they provide evidence of your disability onset date. This date is critical because it is the date the Social Security Administration considers your disability to have “begun” such as that you were unable to work. This date is important because any Social Security Disability back pay benefits will flow from this date.

Legal Help with Your Social Security Disability Case in Michigan

Every Social Security Disability case is different, but one thing is certain: medical records will be critical to obtaining Social Security Disability benefits in any Social Security Disability case. If you are in Michigan and you need assistance obtaining your medical records for your Social Security Disability administrative hearing, and with preparing for your testimony in front of the administrative law judge, contact the experienced Michigan Social Security Disability lawyers at Nationwide Disability Law. The experienced Michigan Social Security Disability lawyers at Nationwide Disability Law offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your Michigan Social Security Disability case and to see if they can help represent you at your Social Security administrative hearing. Contact the experienced Michigan Social Security Disability lawyers at Nationwide Disability Law today and speak to a lawyer about your case for free.