Blog

What Medical Evidence Do You Need to Win Your SSDI/SSI Claim?

As a Melbourne, FL-based SSDI/SSI attorney serving Brevard County and the Space Coast, I’ve helped countless clients turn denials into approvals by focusing on the right evidence from the start. Here’s a practical checklist of the medical evidence you need, based on current SSA rules (as of 2026).

Objective Medical Evidence from Acceptable Medical Sources

Major part of what the SSA agents do is verify that the applicant is disabled. This includes gathering and reviewing medical records and diagnoses from acceptable medical sources. These sources can be:

• Licensed physicians (MDs or DOs)
• Licensed or certified psychologists (for mental impairments)
• Licensed optometrists (for visual disorders)
• Licensed podiatrists (for foot/ankle issues)
• Qualified speech-language pathologists (for speech issues)

Chiropractors, nurses, Purse Practitioners (NP) and Physician Assistant (PA) reports can also help bolster a case.

Detailed Treatment Records and History

The more detailed history the better the case. Having a consistent and established diagnosis and treatment path helps your case tremendously.

• Office visit notes from treating physicians/specialists
• Hospital records (ER visits, inpatient stays)
• Medication lists (with dosages, side effects, and responses)
• Therapy notes (physical, occupational, mental health)
• Records covering at least the past 12 months (SSA develops this period, but gaps hurt credibility)

Evidence of Severity and Functional Limitations

The SSA evaluates your case on how your ailment or impairment affects your ability to work and earn a living. A Doctor will assess your condition and make notes on how your condition restricts your abilities to walk/run, carry or lift objects, concentrate or focus, social functioning and adapt to change.

Matching the SSA Blue Book (Listing of Impairments)

If your condition meets or equals a Blue Book listing, approval can be faster without vocational analysis.

• Review the adult listings (Part A) on ssa.gov for your diagnosis (e.g., musculoskeletal, mental disorders, cancer).
• Provide evidence meeting the exact criteria (e.g., specific ejection fraction for heart failure, marked limitations in mental listings).

Many Florida claims win via medical-vocational rules instead (age, education, work history + RFC), so don’t rely solely on listings.

Handling Consultative Examinations (CEs)

If SSA needs more info, they’ll schedule a CE with an independent doctor.

What to expect:

• Short exam (15-60 minutes)
• Review of records, questions about symptoms/history
• Physical/mental tests (range of motion, strength, memory tasks)
• No new treatment or prescriptions