The SSA’s Evaluation of Your Disability Criteria

A disability lawyer in Ocala, Florida can advise you on the criteria the Social Security Administration uses to determine disability:

• Listing of Impairments
• Medical-Vocational Guidelines

Listing of Impairments

Your disability lawyer in Ocala, Florida can explain that the Listing of Impairments are medical findings which, if you have any of them, determine that you can be found disabled even without knowing whether or not you can do your previous relevant job. The listings can be found online at: https://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/index.htm

There are two different classifications for meeting the criteria on the list:

• Meet the Listings—Your disability meets the criteria set forth on the list.
• Equal the Listings—Your impairment is as severe as a particular impairment on the list.

Medical-Vocational Guidelines

If your disability is not found on the Listing of Impairments and you are unable to do your previous relevant job but your impairment or disability causes limitations, then your disability attorney in Ocala, Florida will inform you that you may fall under the Medical-Vocational Guidelines. The determination of your disability in this instance depends on a combination of certain factors:

• your age
• your level of education
• your work experience
• your residual functional capacity

Will the Opinion of Your Doctor Matter?

While the Social Security Administration will consider your doctor’s opinion, they heavily favor medical facts over medical opinions. Your disability lawyer in Ocala, Florida can tell you that the SSA may claim that your doctor does not have the expertise or experience necessary to make disability determinations. With that in mind, administrative law judges will consider any well-supported opinion that your impairment is equal to or meets the criteria of the Listings.

Contact Us

For more information, contact the CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC at 352-304-5300 to speak to a disability lawyer in Ocala, Florida.