Why It's Important To Prepare For The Medical Expert Testimony At Your SSDI Hearing
Posted on: 11 March 2022
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When you file for SSDI benefits, you might discover that your claim has been denied. This is actually very common and you should not give up on your SSDI application. However, there is a point at which you might need to participate in a hearing and a medical expert might testify at your hearing. It's important to know what the medical expert will say as you prepare for your hearing with your Social Security disability lawyer.
Your Hearing Notice
If you will be participating in a hearing, you will receive a hearing notice. In the hearing notice, you will be told whether there will be a medical expert at the hearing. If there is an expert, you will usually not want to object, but you should consult with your Social Security disability lawyer first.
The Medical Expert
Usually, the medical expert is invited by the judge to testify. You also have the right to request a medical expert if you have a very complicated disability and your Social Security disability lawyer might believe that you need a medical expert to explain your condition to the judge.
The SSA Blue Book
The medical expert is trained in Social Security law and is fully knowledgeable of the SSA's blue book. This is a book of conditions that will qualify you for SSDI benefits. Therefore, if your condition is listed in the blue book, the medical expert will be there to determine if your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working.
After the medical expert has verified that they have the appropriate credentials, the expert will explain if your impairments meet the requirements of the SSA listing. Therefore, you will want to talk to your SSDI lawyer about how your condition meets the SSA requirements for the listing so you can counter claims made by the medical expert that might hurt your case. Your lawyer can also represent you during your hearing.
The Role of Your Doctor
Because the judge might want an expert on Social Security law to speak at the hearing, your doctor might not be allowed to attend the hearing. However, this doesn't mean that your doctor will not play a role in the hearing.
You may need your doctor to work with your Social Security disability lawyer to make sure that you will have the medical evidence necessary to have a successful hearing. Then, you'll be able to increase the odds that your claim will be approved.