DON'T SAY THIS TO YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY DOCTOR

When you apply for Social Security disability benefits--or file an appeal--you may be sent for a consultative examination (CE).  This is an exam by a doctor hired and paid for by Social Security.

You should be honest and forthright with this doctor.  However, do not expect this doctor to be invested in your case or to try to help you.  Most likely the exam will be a cookie cutter exam that most other claimanbts get.

Here are some things  NOT to say at a consultative exam (CE): 

"I am doing OK....just fine...doing pretty good." 

Even if you say this casually it may come back to hurt you.  In his report, the doctor may begin by writing:  "The patient told me he was doing fine."  While you probably did not mean that literally, the doctor can take it that way and I've seen it repeated on dozens of medical exam reports.  Says he's just fine!   Told me was doing great!

 "I am not having any pain."

You may not be in pain at the moment of the exam.  But do you regularly or often experience pain?  If so, tell the doctor in a brief, direct way.  "My back hurts a lot," or "My knees hurt if I stand longer than X minutes."

"I could probably work SOME job, but not the one I had."  

This statement may automatically disqualify you for disability benefits. Avoid giving your opinion or guessing about this kind of thing.

 Don't give your opinions.

Try to answer the doctor's questions honestly but don't ramble and don't share medical opinions.  For example, don't say, "I think I may have a tumor on my backbone," or "I believe my headaches are migraines."   All doctors hate a self diagnosis and it always rubs them wrong.

"I know people who are in better shape than I am who get disability."

I have clients who go on-and-on about individuals who are not as bad off as they are but still get disability benefits.  This is harmful on a number of levels.  But mostly it takes the focus away from where it should be--your case and why YOU are disabled.   You will NEVER get disability benefits by claiming someone else is not disabled. It's a lost cause.  It's the Titanic.  It's the Hindenburg.

Don't try to convince the examiner that you are disabled or that you qualify for benefits.

The doctor or examiner does NOT make this decision.  It is better not to do a sales job on the doctor.  He/she is there to do one thing:  perform the examination that Social Security ordered and send in a report of the facts.  In fact, Social Security law prohibits doctors from offering an opinion about who is disabled or who is able to work.

Don't Exaggerate.

 Try to explain your symptoms as accurately as you can.  But don't exaggerate.  Never say, for example, "I have 10 out 10 level pain all the time."  Or, I can never use my right arm," unless you are paralyzed.  Better to say (if it's accurate):  "My right shoulder hurts when I try to raise my arm above shoulder level."  Or, "Raising my arm above the shoulder level repeatedly is very difficult for me because of shoulder pain."

Don't minimize or understate symptoms.

This is the opposite of exaggerating.  If you have severe pain much of the time, don't say "My pain really isn't bad," or "My pain pills control my pain pretty well."

One last comment on consultative examinations:  Don't count on these exams to help you get approved.  It sometimes works out that way but in a majority of cases sent for a CE, the result is a denial.  It is more important to see YOUR OWN doctor(s) regularly and follow their medical treatment plan.  Social Security cases are usually won by medical records from YOUR treating doctors, not by CE exams.

I sometimes see comments on the internet that says:  "I went for an exam by a Social Security doctor and was approved 2 weeks later...," etc.  This can happen sometimes.  But it is not the usual result. Your best friend in a Social Security disability claim is your own doctor, whom you have seen regularly and followed medical advice.