What if I need a special examination for my SSD benefits claim?

For North Carolina residents who apply for Social Security disability, it might be necessary for there to be more information before a decision can be made. This is when a special medical examination or tests will be required to come to a decision. The Disability Determination Services (DDS) reviews the claims for the Social Security Administration. The SSA will pay for this. In addition, if there are travel expenses, the SSA will pay for that as well. The results can be sent to the primary care doctor if it is a different doctor who conducts the exam.

The claimant must take the test and be cooperative. The information that the DDS has is the key to the entire case and if there was a failure on the part of the claimant to follow through on all the requests, that is not the problem of the DDS. Failure to have the special examination or test might lead to a denial of the application.

The medical professional who conducts the examination or the test for the information that the DDS requests has no say in the decision for SSD benefits. That medical professional’s role is to give the test the DDS requests and provide a report. The report is the key. The DDS will look at the report from the doctor and the other facts of the case and decide on the SSD benefits. A claimant might disagree with the decision. If that is the case, there is a right to appeal.

A person who is suffering from an injury, illness or condition that they believe warrants SSD benefits should not be discouraged if there is a request for a special examination. It is not an automatic denial if this is the case. However, it is vital for a claimant to have a grasp on the various aspects of a disability case. Contacting a lawyer who is experienced in Social Security disability cases can help from the beginning of the case to its conclusion.

Source: ssa.gov, “A Special Examination Is Needed For Your Disability Claim,” accessed on July 2, 2017