Key Medical Evidence Required for SSDI

To qualify for SSDI, you must show that you have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted—or is expected to last—at least 12 months or result in death. Here's what you’ll need:

• Doctor’s Diagnosis: A formal diagnosis from a licensed medical professional, such as your primary care physician, specialist, or psychiatrist.
• Treatment Records: Detailed notes from all healthcare providers, including dates of visits, symptoms reported, exams performed, and outcomes.
• Test Results: Lab tests, imaging (like MRIs or X-rays), and other diagnostic findings that support your diagnosis and limitations.
• Specialist Evaluations: Reports from specialists, such as neurologists, cardiologists, or psychologists, who treat your condition.
• Prescribed Medications: A record of medications you’ve been prescribed, including any side effects that interfere with your ability to work.
• Response to Treatment: Documentation showing whether your condition has improved, worsened, or remained stable with treatment.

Functional Limitations Must Be Clearly Documented

SSA doesn’t just look at your diagnosis—they focus on how your condition impairs your ability to function in a work setting. That includes:

• Your ability to sit, stand, walk, or lift
• Cognitive limitations such as memory, focus, or decision-making
• Mental health symptoms that interfere with social functioning or task persistence

Medical records should clearly describe these limitations in day-to-day terms—not just medical jargon.

Importance of Long-Term Treatment Records

Short-term or scattered medical records are less convincing. SSA looks more favorably on consistent treatment over time. Ideally, you should:

• See your providers regularly
• Follow through on prescribed treatments
• Keep documentation of missed work or hospitalizations related to your condition

If your records show gaps in care, be ready to explain why—for example, lack of insurance or difficulty accessing care.

Medical Source Statement (RFC)

SSA may ask your doctor to complete a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form, which outlines what activities you can and can’t do. This statement should include:

• How long you can sit, stand, or walk
• How much you can lift or carry
• Whether you can stay on task, handle stress, or interact with others
• How often you would miss work due to your condition

An RFC from a treating provider can carry significant weight in your application.

What If You Don’t Have Enough Medical Evidence?

If your medical records are limited or outdated, SSA may send you to a consultative exam with one of their doctors. While this exam can help fill gaps, decisions are often based more heavily on your own treatment records, so it’s important to establish consistent care before applying.