Proving that you are disabled is an arduous (difficult) task. Before you get an opportunity to tell the SSA how your conditions affect your ability to work, you must prove that you have what is called a “medically determinable impairment.” When discussing physical conditions, your symptoms are an important part in documenting and determining a disability. This is what they call subjective evidence. Subjective evidence is what symptoms you self-report based on your conditions. However, you may also be required to provide them with objective evidence that can show them why you have those symptoms. Objective evidence is evidence that is not subject to personal bias. Your conditions and diagnoses can be confirmed and verified through testing and are based upon measurable or visible results via examinations, testing, or imaging. Examples of objective evidence includes MRIs, X-rays, EMGs, EEGs, CT scans, stress tests, blood tests, etc.
Let’s say you are applying for disability because you can’t work due to debilitating back pain. You must prove to the SSA, via medical evidence, what is causing your debilitating back pain. You go to the doctor and tell them about your symptoms. It is important to be thorough and detailed in telling your doctor your symptoms and how it limits you in your daily life and work. This is the subjective evidence. In order for your doctor to learn more about the cause of your symptoms, they would likely order some blood tests and x-rays and/or an MRI. These tests and images will provide unbiased facts about what is going on. This is objective evidence. Without the diagnostic tests and imaging, it is hard to know what is truly going on. The SSA would have to rely solely on your self-reported symptoms. One can conclude how relying on only biased, self-reports would be an issue.
As you can see, it is important to ensure that you have objective evidence to support the symptoms of your conditions. When you attend your doctor visits, be diligent in seeking objective, diagnostic results for your conditions. It will be a large part in determining your disabling condition.
*Please note: Not all medical conditions can be proven via objective evidence. There are some conditions, such as mental health disorders, headaches/migraines, and pain and fatigue disorders, that cannot typically be objectively verified via tests and imaging. These conditions must have evidentiary support in other ways, commonly through medical source statements or psychological evaluations.
~ Kayla
Recent Comments