When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must submit sufficient medical documentation to allow an evaluator to decide you are totally and permanently disabled. Many applicants decide to err on the side of completeness by submitting staggering amounts of documentation. This is all well and good until the sheer volume of reports distracts from your actual disabling condition. If your application lacks focus and the evidence of your disability is buried beneath unrelated paperwork, an evaluator might deny your claim. A successful application usually contains a minimum of 12 months of medical records and all medical records pertaining to the disabling condition. The Social Security Administration, SSA, is especially interested in — and requires — medical records going back to the onset of your disability, meaning the date that you became unable to perform gainful work due to your physical impairment(s). You must also submit your doctor’s notes on your current medical treatment. (SSA considers records current when they are not more than 90 days old.) If you do not have current medical treatment notes, SSA might deny your claim or schedule you for a consultative examination to determine your current residual functional capacity — that is, your present ability to perform mental and physical tasks capably. In many cases, it is better to put off applying for disability until you can get current medical treatment notes from your own doctor. A slight delay to get your paperwork in order can save you from having to go through the entire appeals process. If you’ve already had a claim denied, a knowledgeable attorney at Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, P.C. can help with your appeal. Call today at [ln::phone] to schedule your free initial consultation, or contact us online.