When the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes a decision about an application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, they typically do so after a review of both the application and any medical documentation submitted by the applicant. The first steps utilize technology to highlight the applications most likely to receive approval.
Certain medical conditions may qualify a patient for Fast-Track consideration in order for them to receive a compassionate allowance and a Quick Disability Determination. In other words, conditions known to be either terminal or severely debilitating can make it easier for someone to connect with SSDI benefits more quickly.
Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. Some people have severe health consequences from a medical condition that is usually not so debilitating, making their application seem more suspect and resulting in longer delays for benefits. The more unusual your case and diagnosis is, the more complicated your application for SSDI benefits may become.
You need to document how your case varies from more standard cases
Each human body is unique, and how medical conditions, illnesses and injuries impact a person will reflect their unique body composition, genetics and health history. Whether you have an unusually aggressive form of a typically benign disease or you have underlying medical conditions that exacerbate how the symptoms present themselves, you may well know that your diagnosis justifies SSDI benefits.
However, the automatic review process for applications may not reach the same determination. Even when a person reviews your claim, they may focus more on the diagnosis than on the impact you report it having on your life. The more unusual and severe your symptoms are, the more important it becomes to have extensive documentation, including both personal and professional documentation.
Personal documentation can include diary entries, videos, photos and testimony from people who witness the impact of your disability on your daily life or your career. Professional documentation can include reports from your physician, notes about your unique symptoms and case studies that affirm that varying severity is possible with your specific diagnosis. The more evidence you have, the stronger your application will be.
Even if your initial SSDI claim receives a denial instead of an approval, you likely will have the opportunity to appeal that denial and seek the benefits you need. The better and more extensive the documentation of your unique medical condition, the higher your chances of success during an appeal.
