MOST POWERFUL MEDICAL EVIDENCE

If you are applying for Social Security disability, the most powerful evidence at your disposal is the "Medical Source Statement" or MSS for short. What is it?

It is your doctor's statement about how your ability to function is limited by your medical condition(s). Its really a questionnaire for your doctor. Social Security has their own form for this but you will have to get your hands on it, take it to your doctor and then submit the completed form to Social Security. Or, if you have an attorney/representative, he or she will do this for you.

The Medical Source Statement carries a great deal of weight at Social Security. There is one form for physical impairments, a different form for mental impairments. Follow these guidelines:

1) Try to choose your most sympathetic doctor to complete the MSS for you. If a certain doctor encouraged you to apply for disability, he or she may be a good candidate to complete the MSS form.

2. Take the form to the doctor. This works better than mailing it. Forms that are mailed are often lost, overlooked or simply not acted upon.

3. Use the correct MSS form for your condition. Don't use a form that questions the doctor about your heart function if your disability is a spinal or back disorder. FORM HA-1151 is a good general form for most physical impairments. FORM HA-1152 works well for most mental impairments.

The medical source statement works best in the hands of a trained advocate or skilled attorney. The matter may have to be pressed when you get before an administrative law judge at a hearing.

Contact the Forsythe Firm if you would like for us to help you with your disability case. We offer free initial consultations. (256) 799-0297 in Huntsville.