Social Security Tip: Getting Regular Medical Treatment

I don’t like going to the doctor.

I prefer herbal medicine.

I have a high threshold for pain.

When I hurt I just stay in bed.

I hear a number of reasons why my clients do not see a doctor on a regular basis. This is unfortunate because regular and ongoing treatment is one of the foundations of building a Social Security case.

Why? Treatment generates medical records which does several things to build your case:

1. Medical records can establish a medically determinable impairment. Social Security regulations prevent approving a disability claim based on symptoms alone. Social Security requires a medically determinable impairment, basically, a diagnosis that is medically sound and which accounts for your symptoms. Medical records can help develop this medically determinable impairment requirement.
2. Medical records also provide a history of your complaints, diagnoses, treatment, and how you are responding to treatment. Beyond the evidentiary value this also shows that you did not just make up your symptoms around the time you filed for benefits. Yes, this is a question Social Security considers. It shows you have taken steps to relieve your symptoms.

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