What to say and not to say at a disability doctor?

Asked by: Delta Howell  |  Last update: April 2, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (11 votes)

Avoid saying you are “okay” or “fine,” even out of habit. These statements can undermine the severity of your condition. Instead, be honest about your symptoms, discomfort, and limitations.

What can you not tell a disabled doctor?

Steer Clear of Exaggerations.

Another example of what not to say to a disability doctor is dramatic statements like: “I'm dying,” as this can harm your credibility if not accurate. Focus on providing factual descriptions of symptoms and pain levels to convey the severity of your condition.

What to say to a doctor to get disability?

Use specific examples from your life to help illustrate the struggles. Describe in detail how the condition affects your life. You might say, ``Because of my medications, I can no longer drive. Unless I can get a ride, I am stuck in my house.'' Emphasize how this claim could help you recover.

What not to say on a disability function report?

When telling Social Security about your daily activities, avoid general statements like "I get up, shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, go outside to read, eat lunch, etc." These can give the impression that your days are typical and without difficulty.

What not to say in a disability review?

Exaggerating the extent of your disability will not improve the odds that your application is approved. In fact, claimants who complain of chronic pain that is untreatable might make a poor impression on the ALJ. Inflated claims of pain are never a good idea during a disability hearing.

How Do I Ask My Doctor For Disability?

40 related questions found

Is it hard to pass a disability review?

Do most people pass a CDR? Yes, more than 90% of recipients pass continuing disability reviews. It is much more difficult to get disability claims approved in the first place than it is to pass a CDR.

What disabilities are hard to prove?

Here are the Top Disabilities That Are Difficult To Prove
  • Mental Health Conditions. Mental illness stands as one of the most prevalent causes of disability, yet its impact is often underestimated or misunderstood. ...
  • Chronic Pain Disorders. ...
  • Fibromyalgia. ...
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ...
  • Autoimmune Disorders.

What are red flags on a disability update report?

Some red flags on the Social Security disability update report include: Checking the box that states your doctor told you that you can work. Checking the box that says your health is better now than when you were approved for benefits.

What is the easiest condition to get disability?

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

What not to tell a disability judge?

Subjects to avoid unless you are directly questioned include:
  • Any family members receiving unemployment or disability benefits.
  • Details about your criminal history.
  • Issues related to alcohol or drugs.
  • Non-compliance with your doctor's orders.
  • Living in a town with no available job opportunities.

What do disability doctors look for?

Before the physical examination begins, the medical consultant usually reviews your medical history and asks about your symptoms, your daily activities, and the limitations you experience due to your disability. They may ask you about your work history and how your disability has impacted your ability to work.

What gives 100% disability?

What Is a 100% Disability Rating? A 100 percent disability rating, or total disability rating, is the highest rating VA can assign for service-connected compensation purposes. VA reserves this rating for veterans with extremely debilitating service-connected conditions.

What are the most approved disabilities?

Overall, however, the most approved disability for Social Security is disabilities involving the musculoskeletal system and/or connective tissues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), such conditions include arthritis, back pain, and lupus.

What do you say to your doctor to get disability?

Before your doctor's appointment, be clear about why you want disability benefits. Explain how your medical condition makes it hard for you to work and do daily tasks. Give specific examples, like times when you had trouble lifting or walking. Note any problems because of things like dust, heat, or cold.

What illness automatically qualifies for disability?

It includes:
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain.
  • Special Senses and Speech, such as blindness and hearing loss.
  • Respiratory Disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and respiratory failure.
  • Cardiovascular System, such as hypertension and heart disease.

What shouldn't I tell my doctor?

10 Lies You Should Not Tell Your Doctor
  • Yes, I'm taking my medications just like you told me. ...
  • Nope, I'm not taking any prescription drugs or supplements right now. ...
  • I didn't eat or drink anything prior to this surgery. ...
  • I actually don't drink that much alcohol. ...
  • Me, a smoker? ...
  • Oh, I don't do drugs.

What is the most overlooked disability?

A: Generally, the most overlooked disabilities are mental health disorders. These include depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, to name a few. They are often overlooked and misunderstood. These conditions also affect each person differently, so there is no formula to evaluate the severity of a condition.

What disqualifies you from receiving disability?

These can include income levels, the severity and duration of your condition, and the degree you cooperate with medical professionals and the SSA. It is not an exhaustive list, however. Other disqualifiers can also include imprisonment and fraudulent activity.

How to pass a medical exam in SSDI?

How to Pass a Disability Exam
  1. Do not miss your appointment. The SSA scheduled and paid for this appointment because they felt they did not have enough information to properly decide your claim for benefits. ...
  2. Don't be late. ...
  3. Be calm and relaxed. ...
  4. Be Honest. ...
  5. Be specific and descriptive.

What is a normal disability check?

How much do disability benefits pay? SSDI pays up to $3,822 per month in 2024, but the average SSDI check is around $1,500. Your exact check is based on your income and tax history. SSI pays up to $943 per month with your other monthly income subtracted from that maximum amount to find your benefit amount.

What triggers a disability review?

You aren't following the treatment your doctor ordered (without a good reason), and you probably could work if you followed the treatment. You gave us false or misleading information when we made an earlier decision. You're working and your average monthly earnings show that you're doing substantial gainful work.

What are red flags in medical diagnosis?

Red Flags: are essentially clinical prediction guides: they are not diagnostic tests and they are not necessarily predictors of diagnosis or prognosis. The main role of red flags is that when combined they help to raise the clinician's index of suspicion.

Why do most people get denied for disability?

The most common nonmedical reason for denying a claim is insufficient number of recent work credits.

What makes you 100% disabled?

A 100% VA Disability Rating can be given for a single severe condition or for a group of conditions whose ratings can be combined using VA Math to equal 100%. A 100% VA Disability Rating is commonly given to veterans who have two or more limbs paralyzed or amputated, or for active diseases, like tuberculosis or cancer.

Which conditions do not count as a disability?

An addiction to alcohol, nicotine or any other substance isn't a disability.