Recency of Medical Evidence: How Current Must Your Records Be?
TL;DR: The SSA gives the most weight to medical evidence from the last 90 days. Older records provide history but don't demonstrate current severity. If your most recent records are 6+ months old, the SSA may order a consultative exam to get current data. Before filing, get a recent appointment with your treating physician, updated lab work, and current imaging if applicable. Recent evidence is the single most impactful thing you can do to strengthen your application.
The SSA wants to know how you're functioning now, not how you were functioning a year ago. A diagnosis from 2023 with no recent follow-up tells them nothing about your current condition.
The 90-Day Rule
While not an official regulation, the SSA informally considers evidence within the last 90 days as the most relevant. DDS examiners are trained to look for current evidence first.
How to Ensure Recency
- Schedule a doctor visit within 30 days before filing
- Get updated labs, imaging, or other testing
- Ask your doctor to document current functional limitations
- Submit new evidence as you generate it during the application process
ClaimPath helps you organize recent medical evidence for your application. $79, one time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about recency of medical evidence: how current must your records be??
TL;DR: The SSA gives the most weight to medical evidence from the last 90 days. Older records provide history but don't demonstrate current severity. If your most recent records are 6+ months old, the SSA may order a consultative exam to get current data.
What should I know about the 90-day rule?
While not an official regulation, the SSA informally considers evidence within the last 90 days as the most relevant. DDS examiners are trained to look for current evidence first.
How to Ensure Recency?
ClaimPath helps you organize recent medical evidence for your application. $79, one time.