A competent and skilled disability attorney or advocate will nearly always try to obtain a statement from your treating physician(s). The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that the opinion of the treating source is valuable in that there is usually a long-term treating relationship that affords your doctor specialized knowledge about your limitations and how they affect your ability to perform work-related activities. In fact, Social Security Rulings state that an adjudicator must give the opinion of a treating source special weight in deciding the claim.
Your physician may be familiar with this requirement for a professional medical opinion; however, this statement must contain enough information to substantiate your disability. I have read numerous statements offered by well-meaning physicians that are too brief or general; therefore, they are ultimately unacceptable. For example, a professional opinion that generally states, “In my opinion, this patient is disabled and unable to work” carries little weight in regard to disability determination because it does not contain enough information for the Social Security Administration to award a permanent disability. This opinion is “conclusory” and is not in the language that is meaningful in the context of Social Security judges or examiners.
In order to avoid this common problem, Disability Advocates Group always asks your treating physician or mental health practitioner to complete a questionnaire that is specific to your disability. This statement, known as a Medical Source Statement or Residual Functional Capacity assessment (RFC) should contain the following:
- It should indicate the length of time this physician has treated you.
- It should document your diagnosis/diagnoses.
- It should indicate the diagnostic studies or clinical assessments that have been used to diagnose these conditions.
- Most importantly, it should indicate all the various ways in which you are functionally limited in your ability to sit, stand, lift, carry, manipulate, bend, stoop, push and pull.
- If your condition affects your mental capacity, the physician or psychologist should indicate any difficulty you have in the following areas: Learning, retaining information, following directions, handling work-related stress, and interacting with supervisors, coworkers, and customers.
You can access an RFC form here: RFC Form. Have questions or need assistance? Disability Advocates Group is here to assist you with all aspects of your disability claim.