Medically Determinable Impairment: The First Hurdle
TL;DR: Before the SSA evaluates your disability, they require proof that you have a "medically determinable impairment" (MDI). This means a physical or mental condition established through objective medical evidence from an acceptable medical source. Symptoms alone are not an MDI. You need a diagnosis backed by clinical signs, laboratory findings, or imaging. If the SSA can't establish an MDI, your claim is denied before severity is even considered. This is why having a confirmed diagnosis with objective testing is the foundation of every SSDI claim.
What Counts as Objective Evidence
- Clinical signs observed by a physician during examination
- Laboratory test results (blood work, urinalysis, etc.)
- Imaging studies (MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound)
- Pathology reports
- Psychological testing (for mental health MDIs)
- Electrodiagnostic studies (EMG, NCS)
What Doesn't Count
- Your self-reported symptoms alone
- A doctor's opinion based solely on your reported symptoms without clinical findings
- Alternative medicine diagnoses without standard medical testing
ClaimPath ensures your application establishes MDI with appropriate medical evidence. $79, one time.
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