The Forsythe Firm

If you are trying for Social Security disability, you need to know what a Medical Source Statement (MSS for short) is and how to use it.  It can and should be Exhibit 1 in your medical evidence.   The "source" is your doctor or other healthcare provider. The statement is your doctor's opinion about you can and cannot do. The statement is a form which attempts to state your physical or mental functional ability, with your impairments being considered.  A physical MSS will state how much you can lift, how long you can sit, stand, walk; how frequently you can bend, stoop, crouch, crawl, etc. There is a separate form for mental impairments. Social Security has it's own form; however, they will not send it to your doctors.  You must get your hands on the form, get it to your doctor, get it completed and send it to Social Security yourself. Try to pick your most sympathetic doctor to fill out the form.  If a certain doctor encouraged you to apply for disabili...

Mental disorders of various types compose 18.9 percent of all disability awards made by Social Security.   What evidence must you have for an award?  A history of treatment by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist is a starting point.  As with all types of claims, the more severe the impairment, the more likely of an award.  Claimants with a history of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations have a high probability of being approved, though others with significant symptoms that interfere with the ability to work may also be approved. Getting your doctor to complete a medical source statement increases your odds of getting benefits. Representation by a qualified Social Security attorney or non-attorney representative will also give you a better chance. CONTACT THE FORSYTHE FIRM    

Bad backs and other musculoskeletal disorders are the most awarded impairments for Social Security disability.  If you have a spinal or back impairment that is severe, it may qualify for a disability benefit.  You will need objective medical evidence, such as an MRI, to support the claim. Social Security must also determine in what ways your symptoms limit your ability to perform work activities like sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, lifting, etc.  This is best determined by getting your doctor to complete a form called a "Medical Source Statement."  This form is available from my office free of charge. If you would like for us to evaluate your Social Security disability claim (for a back impairment or any other impairment) - please call us at (256) 799-0297.  Consultations are free. SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE WEBSITE  

DON'T DELAY, APPEAL TODAY (LINK) Why does this poignant motto hang on my office wall? Because it represents the only way to win your disability claims once it's been denied.  And 7 out of 10 will be denied on the first scrabble. A disability denial is nothing more than a way to get to a hearing.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Use the denial to move your case up the ladder--onward and upward. If you need help, call me at the Forsythe Firm (256) 799-0297. I will never ask for a fee until you win your case AND collect the back pay you are due.  (256) 799-0297.   https://forsythefirm.wixsite.com/website  

Social Security uses a sequential step-by-step process to determine whether you are disabled and can receive a disability check.  The following are steps at which a denial may be issued. STEP 1 DENIAL -  The claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity and is, therefore, not eligible for benefits.  This is defined as earning gross wages or self-employment income of at least $1,170 per month (the 2017 number). STEP 2 DENIAL - There is no medical evidence of a severe medical impairment expected to last for at least 12 consecutive months OR to end in death.  STEP 4:  The claimant is determined to be able to perform past relevant work.  This work is defined as any job the claimant performed at substantial gainful activity level within the 15 year period prior to applying for disability.  It does not necessarily refer to the claimant's most recent job. STEP 5 - The claimant cannot perform any of his or her past relevant work; howeve...

The Social Security Administration will likely deny your disability application for one of the following reasons: They will minimize the seriousness of your medical symptoms and the limitations they pose on your ability to perform work activities.  They will assign you an unrealistic Residual Functional Capacity.  For example, they will say you are able to perform Light exertion when you actually are limited to sedentary work. They will admit that you cannot perform your past work but will insist that there exists easier work that you are still able to perform.  This is a Step 5 denial. They may determine that you are still able to perform one or more of your past relevant jobs--that is, a job you have performed within the past 15 years. There are, of course, underlying reasons for these faulty decisions.  Perhaps your medical records are not persuasive.  Or maybe Social Security didn't receive all of your records.  You may have been careless in de...