Medically Determinable Impairment
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The Second Step. The Social Security Administration considers the severity of your impairments. If the SSA determines that you lack a “severe medically determinable physical or mental impairments that meets the duration requirement[s]…or a combination of impairments that is severe and meets the duration requirement” they will find you not disabled.
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It should be noted that just because you are currently not working or working but making below Substantial Gainful Employment does not mean that you will be found disabled by the Social Security Administration. One of the most important factors is that you have a Medically Determinable Impairment that can be proven by an “acceptable medical source.”
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You may be wondering what a “Medically Determinable Impairment” means. The Administrations definition is:
“A medically determinable physical or mental impairment must result from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques. The impairment must be established by objective medical evidence (signs, laboratory findings, or both) from an acceptable medical source, not on an individual’s statement of symptoms.”
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What this means is that you must have a medical diagnoses/impairment and medical records from an acceptable medical source backing up those diagnoses and your inability to work. An impairment can either be a physical or mental abnormality that is severe enough to cause significant limits on your physical and/or mental ability to perform basic work activities. If this is not found, then Social Security will find you not disabled.
How long does my Impairment
have to last?
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Normally your impairment must be shown that it is severe enough to interfere with an individual’s performance of basic work activities and that this impairment has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or is terminal.
How do I prove my Impairment?
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To prove the severity of your impairments acceptable medical sources are needed. These sources can include medical professionals such as licensed physicians, psychologists, school psychologists, optometrists, podiatrists, qualified speech-language pathologists, and audiologists.
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Additionally, the medical records should contain diagnostic evidence such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), X-ray, Computerized Tomography Scan (CT), and other such tests that are in line with your impairment/impairments which are keeping you from working. This part is particularly important as even if the Social Security Administration finds that you have an impairment, that impairment must be shown that it is severe enough to interfere with an individual’s performance of basic work activities and that this impairment has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or is terminal.
Helpful Links:
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Medically Determinable Impairment: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/LNX/0425205005
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Medical Sources:
https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0422505003
