When you file a claim for disability benefits in Utah, the Social Security Administration will look to your medical history in assessing your credibility. Including the details of any treatment you have received is essential – this helps prove that your condition is as severe as you’ve asserted and that your ability to earn a living is limited.

As these are key factors in a successful disability claim, your medical treatment records can play a major role in determining whether or not the SSA finds in your favor. Here’s what you need to know if you plan on applying for disability benefits.

Why Following Your Doctor’s Treatment Advice Is Critical

Generally speaking, you need to be getting treated to qualify for disability benefits. If you haven’t talked to a doctor about your condition, the SSA will likely conclude that it isn’t disabling – and that means your claim will stands a strong chance of being denied. The same is true if you have consulted with a doctor, but aren’t following their treatment advice.

On the other hand, if you’ve been under a doctor’s care for quite some time – or if you’ve seen multiple medical professionals and tried different treatment options – the SSA is much more likely to approve your application for disability benefits.

Valid Reasons for Not Complying with Treatment Recommendations

Failing to follow your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan could result in a denial of disability benefits if the recommended course of action would be expected to restore your ability to earn an income. That said, the SSA must consider whether you have good reasons for not seeking or complying with treatment.

Reasons that may be acceptable include:

• You are unable to afford the recommended treatment.
• A medicine you’ve been prescribed has serious side effects.
• The treatment plan is against your religious beliefs.
• A mental illness is keeping you from getting the treatment you need.

If the SSA has questions about your failure to pursue or comply with treatment, someone should contact you for an explanation. However, if you believe there’s a chance that your medical history could be an issue, be proactive and make your reasons for not doing more to treat your condition absolutely clear in your application for disability benefits.

Provide a Complete Treatment History with Your Disability Claim

As your medical treatment records will affect the outcome of your disability claim, you need to make sure that the SSA has all of the necessary information. Listing all of your treatment providers is crucial – include your primary care doctor and any other medical or mental health professionals you’ve seen, and the SSA will have a better idea of the lengths to which you’ve gone to treat your condition. As such, your claim for disability benefits will be less likely to be denied.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply want expert help with the Social Security disability claims process, let the professional team at Mountain West Disability help. We can guide you through every step – and we’ll only collect a fee if we’re successful in getting you approved for disability benefits. For a free case evaluation, contact our office in Murray, Utah, today.