If you need to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Veterans Disability benefits, you’ll need to collect medical evidence to support your claim. Strong, comprehensive medical records can substantiate the severity of your condition and demonstrate how it impacts your ability to work and/or perform daily activities.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) both require proof that your condition meets their eligibility criteria. For SSD claims, this means demonstrating that your condition prevents you from working for at least 12 months. For VA claims, you must prove a service-connected disability. In both cases, medical evidence should clearly document your diagnosis, treatment history and any limitations caused by your condition.
Getting started
You can begin by requesting a complete set of medical records from all healthcare providers you’ve seen for your condition, including:
- Doctors and Specialists: You’ll need records from primary care physicians, specialists and therapists who have treated you
- Hospitals and Clinics: Discharge summaries, imaging results (e.g., MRIs or X-rays) and other records from hospital visits or urgent care facilities can also be helpful
- Mental Health Providers: If your claim involves a mental health condition, gather records from psychiatrists, psychologists or counselors.
- Pharmacy Records: A list of prescribed medications that demonstrate ongoing treatment may also be valuable
Next, you’ll likely benefit from securing a detailed medical opinion from your treating physician, as doing so can strengthen your claim. It should include:
- Confirmation of your diagnosis
- An explanation of how your condition limits your ability to work or perform daily activities
- Any medical evidence supporting your limitations, such as test results or imaging
In SSD cases, a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form filled out by your doctor can help outline the specific tasks you are unable to perform due to your condition.
If this sounds overwhelming, that’s okay. While it’s true that strong medical evidence is the foundation of a successful disability claim, you do not necessarily have to be the one who gathers and analyzes it. Seeking personalized legal guidance and support can allow you to benefit from these efforts without having to make them yourself.