Disability Medical Tests for Musculoskeletal Impairments
The Social Security Administration requires a lot of medical records in claims for Social Security disability benefits for back injury and musculoskeletal impairments. A conclusion by your back doctor that you are “disabled” because of your musculoskeletal impairment is not enough to qualify for disability benefits for spinal injury or other musculoskeletal impairment. Neither is a statement from your doctor that you are unable to work. If you don’t have medical records to support your claim for disability benefits based on back injury, you are unlikely to win Social Security disability benefits. Though the SSA will consider a well-supported opinion by a treating doctor, they will also expect to see medical test results.
One of the most important things you can do to help your claim for musculoskeletal disability benefits is keep good records of the medical treatment you have received for your musculoskeletal disorder. Write down the date and the details of every doctor visit, musculoskeletal medical test, and medication taken. This will help show the Social Security Administration that you are following your doctor’s prescribed treatment and are trying to get better. It may also be helpful to keep a diary of the medical symptoms relating to your back pain or other musculoskeletal impairment.
This section of our website contains information on nine different musculoskeletal tests that may be part of your medical record if you are applying for disability benefits for back injury or musculoskeletal medical issues. These articles will tell you the purpose of each test, whether the SSA can order it, how it is administered, and how the results are interpreted.
