Not necessarily. Social Security must consider and analyze opinions from treating doctors, but at the end of the day Social Security does not allow treating doctors to control the outcome of your claim. What’s most important is that your physician write a letter that does MORE than just say that “my patient is fully and permanently disabled”. Social Security will flat-out ignore that letter. Instead, if your physician can fill out a questionnaire or write a letter indicating what your exact physical and/or mental limitations are (such as “my patient can only stand/walk 2 hours throughout an 8-hour day”, or “my patient cannot tolerate interaction with the public or co-workers”), then Social Security must consider that opinion. Overall, it’s best to hire an attorney and have your attorney design a questionnaire that is custom-tailored to your specific medical condition for your doctor to complete.

The Social Security Administration has published what are called “Listings”, which are impairments with VERY specific criteria. If you have been diagnosed with the disease or injury AND your condition meets the very specific criteria, then yes, you will be found disabled. However, it’s important to understand that there are still other criteria to being found disabled, such as having sufficient recent work, being off of work, following doctors orders, staying away from drugs and alcohol, etc. For instance, if you have Crohn’s disease (also known as ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome), you will NOT be found automatically disabled unless you also have certain documented complications (such as hospitalizations for obstructions of your bowels, anemia with certain blood levels, etc.). It’s important to remember that it’s not as easy as just having a diagnosis! It’s best to hire a local attorney who specializes in Social Security disability to help you with your claim.

Social Security roughly defines disability as when someone has one or more medical conditions which prevent him/her from working.  If you’re working full-time, or if your gross, pre-tax earnings are more than the amounts listed here, then you are not eligible for disability benefits.  Special rules (known as the Medical-Vocational Guideline Rules, or “Grids”), apply to people of certain ages and with certain work and educational backgrounds.