Many people believe their doctor can approve them for Social Security disability. They can - and they can't. Let me explain.
A letter from your doctor may be useless. Why? It probably won't tell Social Security what they need to know to approve a claim. Here is an example of a typical doctor's letter, meant to support the patient for disability benefits, but it turns out to be absolutely worthless: not admissible.
"My patient, Mr. John R. Claimant, is totally disabled. I have been treating him for chronic back and leg pain, heart failure and thyroid cancer. Mr. Claimant would like to work but he is unable to do so. He cannot hold any job due to his medical conditions. I strongly recommend that Mr. Claimant be approved for Social Security disability."
Signed: William Q. Painless, MD
This letter is worthless because it draws a conclusion that is reserved under the law to the Commissioner of Social Security. Only the Commissioner may conclude that a claimant is disabled or that (s)he cannot work. Doctors may not draw that conclusion.
HOW CAN YOUR DOCTOR HELP?
The best thing your doctor can do is fill out a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form for you. The RFC form estimates the remaining capacity the patient has for performing work activities: sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, etc. For example, an effective RFC statement would be: "Mr. Claimant can lift and carry no more than 5 pounds occasionally." Or: "He can sit no longer than 30 minutes at a time and not more than 3 hours out of an 8-hour work day."
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