What Is a Social Security Disability Denial Based On?

On This Page

1. Your Medical Condition Must Meet Strict Criteria
2. Your Medical Evidence Must Prove You Have a Qualifying Impairment
3. Technical Denials Are Relatively Common
4. Berger and Green Can Appeal Your Pittsburgh Disability Denial

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

A Social Security disability denial can be based on several things, such as:

• Your medical records did not tell the full story
• You did not meet the medical requirements
• You did not meet all the technical qualifications
• There was an issue with your application

The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies more than half of all the claims it receives. If it denied your claim, the team from Berger and Green can help you understand why and fight the denial. Call us today at 412-661-1400 for a free case review and to get started on your appeal.

Your Medical Condition Must Meet Strict Criteria

To get benefits through either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must suffer from a serious medical impairment that:

• Prevents you from getting, keeping, or working a job; and
• Lasts for a year or more, or will cause your death

If your medical condition will likely improve within a year, the SSA is unlikely to approve you for benefits. It is important to note that you may be able to get benefits for an impairment that will likely improve, but it must last for a year or more. For example, if your condition necessitates an organ transplant, you may get approved for benefits, but the SSA will review your qualifications after 12 months.

In some cases, your impairment may prevent you from working at your current job but allow you to work a different job you qualify for. When this happens, you will likely receive a denial. However, if you can work but require accommodations, you may still qualify for benefits.

Your Medical Evidence Must Prove You Have a Qualifying Impairment

To get approved for disability benefits your medical evidence — your medical records and supporting documents — must prove your impairment is so severe that it prevents you from working. This is a high standard to meet. You either need to provide evidence to show you meet an impairment listing in the Blue Book or your residual functional capacity evaluation must show you cannot work.

A representative from the Office of Disability Determination Services will reach out to your medical care providers to get this evidence. For this reason, it is imperative you provide them with the most current list of providers and information including:

• Doctor’s name
• Hospital or clinic address
• Phone number
• E-mail
• Patient ID number, when possible
• Dates of treatment and/or tests

It is important to include every doctor and specialist, all clinics, hospitals, and other facilities, and anyone who examined or treated you for your impairment. We can help you compile and double-check this list before you apply for disability.

Technical Denials Are Relatively Common

Before it forwards your application to the Office of Disability Determination Services, the SSA field office will check to ensure you meet all the technical qualifications. If you do not, you will likely receive a technical denial.

Some common causes of technical denials include:

• You earn an income above the current substantial gainful activity limit for SSDI
• You do not have the required work credits for SSDI
• Your household income is too high for SSI
• You have too many assets for SSI

Issues with your paperwork can also lead to a technical denial. Leaving questions blank, entering an answer in the wrong block, or not completing all necessary forms can all lead to issues. We can double-check your application. We also recommend keeping the channels of communication open with your local field office. This makes it easier for them to contact you if there is a problem.

Berger and Green Can Appeal Your Pittsburgh Disability Denial

When you let us help you file your claim for Pittsburgh Social Security disability, we can ensure SSA gets the appropriate information about your medical care providers. We will also double-check all your technical information.

If you already received a denial, we can help you fight it. Let our Social Security disability attorneys handle your appeal on your behalf. We will:

• Request your appeals hearing for you if there is sufficient time to do so
• Investigate why the SSA denied your claim
• Collect evidence to build a robust case for approval
• Communicate regularly with you about the status of your case
• Represent you during your appeals hearing
• Present your case to the Administrative Law Judge overseeing your hearing
• Argue for monthly disability and back pay

If you want us to handle your Pittsburgh disability appeal, it is imperative for you to act quickly. You only have 60 days to file an appeal after you receive your denial notice. Call Berger and Green today at 412-661-1400 to get started. We will review your case for free.