If a medical condition or other similar conditions prevent you from being able to work, you are entitled to social security disability benefits. Unfortunately, rampant cases of fraud over the last decade have made many courts cautious of who they will award a claim. This is why building up the credibility of your case is important.
When filing for a social security disability claim, it’s best to work with a respected law firm such as Goldin Law Firm. Working with an experienced lawyer can help you avoid conflicting or inconsistent statements that may hurt your case. Similarly, your lawyer can help you identify factors that strengthen the credibility of your case, including:
Long Work History
The SSA usually gives more credence to someone who has a long work history. A great example of this would be a long-time welder filing a claim due to chronic bronchitis. Due to the nature of his job and the length of his employment, it isn’t unusual for the SSA to link his breathing problems to his job. In this scenario, the fact that he’s only filed a claim at this moment lends credibility to his condition and how severe it is.
Evidence of Unsuccessful Work Attempts
Unsuccessful work attempts can convince the SSA that your injury is as severe as you claim. Your attempts at employment in a different field can show that you at least tried to stay employed to avoid having to claim for disability benefits. This can establish good will on your part, and that your condition really does not allow you to hold down a job.
Exhibiting Symptoms at Your Hearing
An ALJ will closely monitor your body language in court to get a feel of whether what you are saying is true. Exhibiting symptoms during your hearing can help your cause. For example, someone who claims crippling back pain when seated for long periods of time may request to be allowed to stand when giving her testimony. An ALJ may attribute this to the existence of back pain. Of course, it should go without saying that you should not lie or exaggerate your symptoms.
Source:
Your Credibility and Disability: How Inconsistent Statements and Medical Treatment Hurt Your Claim, disabilitysecrets.com