What kind of medical evidence does Social Security need to make a disability decision?

In order for Social Security to make a disability decision for a person living in West Virginia, the person must provide medical evidence to support their disability. The required evidence will depend on the type of disability. Generally speaking, the medical evidence needed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) includes medical records, reports, laboratory and test results, x-rays, and any other medical records that support the diagnosis of the disability. Additionally, the medical evidence must show the history, onset, duration, and severity of the medical condition, as well as the type of treatment received. The medical evidence needed is usually from treating physicians, such as family doctors, specialists, hospital physicians, or any other health-care professional who has evaluated or treated the applicant. The SSA may also request additional evidence from other sources, such as recent medical reports from hospitals, medical clinics, or laboratories. Furthermore, the SSA may arrange for a consultative examination if the applicant’s medical evidence is not sufficient to make a disability determination. In addition to medical evidence, the SSA may also use non-medical evidence to make a disability decision. Non-medical evidence can include statements from family members, friends, and coworkers about the applicant’s abilities and limitations due to their disability. Therefore, it is important to provide as much evidence as possible to support the disability claim.

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