Disability Law Claims Blog

Medical Assessment Forms Are Powerful Evidence for Your Disability Claim

Asking your treating physician(s) to complete a specialized medical assessment form such as, the Residual Functional Capacity Questionnaire or the Mental Capacity Assessment, is the most effective way to illustrate how your disability interferes with your attention and concentration and limits your ability to function in a competitive work situation (i.e., your level of inability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, crouch, grasp, reach, and move).

If your doctor(s) is reluctant about completing a medical assessment form, you can ask him or her to write a statement explaining the severity of your disabilities and the treatment that you receive. What you want to avoid is a letter from your doctor saying, "My patient is 100 percent disabled and cannot work." A judge will give this type of statement very little weight. However, if the statement is detailed and well-thought out, it can greatly improve your chances of being awarded disability benefits.

While medical assessments can be powerful, they can also prove worthless if your doctor(s) does not take his or her time to complete it. Many times (to our detriment), our doctors are pretty busy. With back-to-back appointments and unexpected emergencies, doctors are often reluctant to take on additional responsibilities such as, writing letters or completing forms in support of your disability claim. But, don't let this deter you from asking for their support. Some doctors despite their busy schedules will help their patients by providing them with the necessary medical evidence to prove their disability.

LaVan & Neidenberg can help you build a strong medical case for your disability claim. We will provide you with specialized forms mentioned above for your treating physicians to complete. Start gathering the right medical evidence.