A Savannah Disability Lawyer Discusses Objective Medical Findings
Objective medical findings, while important, are secondary to the Listing of Impairments, which outlines a particular set of medical findings as determined by the Social Security Administration. A Savannah disability lawyer is available for consultation on these issues.
Examples found in the Listing of Impairments include:
- Inadequate correlation between X-ray results and a joint’s function [66 Fed. Reg. 58,017 (2001)].
- Inconclusive evidence regarding the correlation between disability and the lumbar range of motion [Parks, et al., “A Comparison of Lumbar Range of Motion and Functional Ability Scores in Patients with Low Back Pain,” Spine, Vol 28, No. 4, pp. 380-384, 2003].
Above all else, a claimant must be able to demonstrate an impairment described in the Listing of Impairments. Any objective medical findings help in that they basically determine the gamut of options available, but they must first support an established impairment.
A Savannah Disability Lawyer Discusses How a Doctor Should Prepare a Medical Opinion
As a doctor, you may wonder how you can best provide your professional expertise in a disability case. First, engage your patient. Ascertain your patient’s view about his or her capacity to perform work-related functions. Assess whether your patient’s opinion aligns with your knowledge of the patient and his or her impairments.
A Savannah Disability Attorney Discusses the Importance of Sticking to Your Professional Opinion
Act with integrity. This means that you should not simply agree with your patient’s view, or say what he or she wants you to say. This would render meaningless the purpose of seeking a professional medical judgment.
As a doctor, you can distinguish that sometimes symptoms may not be the result of a particular disability but rather the side effects of certain medications. These types of symptoms should not factor into a disability argument. Furthermore, be mindful of any exaggerated medical claims made by the patient that are simply not realistic given what you know.
Contact Us
If you remain uncertain as to how how you should proceed when exercising your professional judgment, Durden Rice & Barfield, P.C., can help. Call (888) 705-8672 to make an appointment.
