Do you have a mental health disability? Are you thinking about applying for Social Security disability benefits? Then, you should learn about the importance of ongoing treatment.
Mental health disability claims are no walk in the park. They tend to be complex, lengthy, and difficult to prove.
To win a mental impairment claim, you must build a strong case with enough medical evidence.
One element can be your best ally on this journey: ongoing treatment.
In this article, experienced disability attorneys from Pinyerd Law will discuss the importance of consistent treatment. You’ll learn how to use it to your advantage to strengthen your mental health disability case.
Is It Difficult to Obtain Disability Benefits for Mental Health?
No disability claim is ever easy to win. However, some impairments present more challenges.
Obtaining disability benefits for mental conditions tends to be more difficult because these can be harder to diagnose and prove than physical impairments.
These are some of the factors that make mental health claims more complex:
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Lack of conclusive testing: There are still no conclusive tests for mental health conditions.
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Symptoms inconsistency: Mental health symptoms tend to fluctuate, making them difficult to observe.
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Difficulty expressing symptoms: Some patients with severe mental conditions struggle to express their symptoms and how they affect their lives.
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No visible symptoms: Due to the nature of mental illnesses, symptoms are often not visible, making it challenging to diagnose or prove.
That doesn’t mean it is impossible to secure disability benefits for mental illnesses.
However, claimants must put extra effort into building a strong claim, proving their impairment affects their ability to work.
How Can I Prove I Have A Mental Illness?
To win your Social Security disability claim, you must prove you have a qualifying disability that stops you from working.
To that end, strong medical evidence and ongoing treatment are crucial. A simple diagnosis from your primary healthcare provider won’t suffice.
Here are some examples of evidence you can submit to support your claim:
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Medical records from your healthcare providers.
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Opinion letters from your doctors or mental health professionals specialized in your condition. The letters should detail your diagnoses, treatments, symptoms, and the physician’s opinion on your ability to work.
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Psychological testing results.
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A list of medications you are taking, the dosage, and side effects you experience.
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Neuropsychological evaluation results—if you experience a cognitive impairment due to your mental health condition.
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A personal affidavit where you detail your background, your job demands, the onset of your health condition, and how your impairment negatively impacts your ability to work and perform other daily activities of living.
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Statements from family, friends, co-workers, or employer supporting your disability.
The more evidence you provide, the stronger your chances of securing Social Security disability benefits.
Remember that evidence must be relevant to your case and up-to-date. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will thoroughly review it to confirm its veracity and relevance to your claim.
The Importance of Ongoing Treatment for Mental Health Disability Claims
Besides strong medical proof, another factor that can increase your chances of winning medical treatment is ongoing treatment.
Disability law experts agree that this crucial factor can be a breaking point between receiving disability benefits and getting denied.
Medical treatment and rehabilitation for impairment are vital for every type of claim, and this is even more true for mental health cases.
Here is why ongoing treatment is so important in these claims:
Evidence of The Severity of The Condition
Regur treatment records provide critical evidence of the claimant’s mental health over time.
Those records prove to the SSA that the condition is persistent and hinders your ability to work.
Without a solid treatment record history, the SSA may argue that the impairment is not severe enough to grant you disability benefits.
Demonstrate Compliance with Medical Treatment
It’s no secret that the SSA favors claimants who put an effort into recovering and going back to work.
Not adhering to your medical treatment can signal two things:
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You are not making an effort to recover and return to work.
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Your mental health impairment is not severe.
Quitting your treatment can significantly hinder your case, probably even leading to denial.
Document Symptoms Fluctuations
Many health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, fluctuate over time.
Sometimes, the claimant might feel good enough to be able to work. While other times, their mental status makes it impossible for them to follow their work routine and requirements.
Ongoing treatment sets a precedent for those changes, establishing the condition’s unpredictability.
A history of ups and downs—despite the patient sticking to the treatment—strengthens the argument that the claimant cannot maintain employment.
Professional Insight into Prognosis
The SSA only grants benefits for long-term disabilities. Your impairment must be expected to last 12 months or longer to qualify.
Consistent treatment allows healthcare providers to make informed adjustments to medications and therapies as needed.
That pattern of treatment trials and adjustments highlights the complex nature of mental impairments and how difficult it can be to attain functional stability.
Furthermore, ongoing treatment enables physicians to predict the duration of the impairment more accurately. They can confirm that the patient’s mental status is not expected to improve soon, indicating that they are deserving of long-term disability benefits, such as SSDI.
Countering SSA Stereotypes
Some SSA claim examiners may have a bias against mental health conditions.
They may consider some mental impairments not to be a disability. Or perhaps they assume that mental disorders are not as debilitating as physical disabilities.
Ongoing treatment illustrates the claimant's commitment to improving their mental health and counteracts the assumption that their claim isn’t legitimate.
Need Help Building A Winning Mental Health Disability Claim?
Mental health disability claims are complex, but if you work on building a strong case, you have a good chance of securing the benefits.
Medical proof and ongoing treatment are the pillars of a successful mental health disability claim.
Do you need help building a successful case? Claimants with disability attorneys have 3 times more chances of securing benefits. Don’t hesitate to contact a disability lawyer to help you win the benefits you deserve.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is based on the expertise and knowledge of the source company, Pinyerd Law. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher or its distribution partners. This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or medical advice.
For legal matters, consult a qualified attorney to address your specific case. For medical concerns, always seek advice from a licensed healthcare provider regarding your health objectives, medical conditions, and ongoing treatments.
The source company and the publisher make no representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented in this article. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research or consult with professionals to make informed decisions.
For further information, please contact Pinyerd Law directly.
Website of Source: https://pinyerdlaw.com/
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