How to read medical records in a Social Security case

Whether you are working with a lawyer or are trying to get Social Security disability / Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on your own, you will probably be reading medical records at some point.

Here is a quick primer on how a large portion of medical records are set-up.

Most of the medical records I see from doctors in Colorado, whether from primary care providers, specialists, or other doctors use the SOAP notes system. That is, the notes are divided into Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan (or Prognosis): S. O. A. P.

Subjective – this is where the doctor notes what you told him/her. What …

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