Primary Care Physicians (PCPs)

Your primary care physician is often the first doctor you turn to for routine check-ups and treatment of ongoing conditions. If you have a chronic illness or injury, your PCP may be the one who first identifies it and monitors your condition over time.

• How They Help:
  Your primary care doctor can provide ongoing medical documentation of your condition and its impact on your ability to work. A letter or report from your PCP detailing the severity and progression of your illness can support your claim, especially if you’ve been under their care for an extended period.

Specialists

Depending on the nature of your disability, you may see a specialist to manage your condition. Specialists have a deeper understanding of specific diseases or injuries and can provide more detailed evidence to support your claim.

• Neurologists:
  For conditions like multiple sclerosis, seizures, or other neurological disorders, neurologists are essential in providing evaluations and documentation.
• Orthopedic Surgeons:
  If your disability involves the musculoskeletal system, such as joint, bone, or spine issues, orthopedic surgeons can document your condition and limitations in mobility, strength, and ability to perform daily tasks.
• Psychiatrists or Psychologists:
  For mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other psychiatric disorders, psychiatrists or psychologists can provide vital testimony and documentation on the severity of your condition, your treatment plan, and how it impairs your ability to work.
• Cardiologists:
  If you suffer from heart disease, heart failure, or other cardiovascular conditions, cardiologists can provide detailed medical records outlining the limitations your heart condition causes.
• Rheumatologists:
  For autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, rheumatologists can provide valuable insights into your physical limitations and the long-term effects of your condition.

Pain Management Specialists

Chronic pain can be debilitating, and many individuals who apply for SSDI suffer from conditions that cause significant pain, such as back problems, fibromyalgia, or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Pain management specialists can help document the severity of your pain and the impact it has on your daily life.

• How They Help:
  Pain management specialists can detail the type, intensity, and duration of your pain, as well as the treatments you’ve tried and their effectiveness. This helps provide evidence of your disability, especially when pain limits your ability to work.

Physical Therapists

If your disability involves physical limitations, such as reduced mobility, strength, or range of motion, a physical therapist can be helpful. They assess your ability to perform basic physical tasks and can document any limitations you have as a result of your condition.

• How They Help:
  Physical therapists can provide detailed assessments of your physical abilities, noting any difficulty in movements like lifting, walking, or standing. This documentation can help substantiate claims involving musculoskeletal injuries or chronic pain conditions.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists help individuals adapt to daily activities when physical or mental impairments prevent them from performing certain tasks. For SSD claims, occupational therapists can evaluate your ability to complete tasks at work or home.

• How They Help:
  They can offer an objective assessment of how your condition affects your ability to perform job-specific tasks. This is particularly useful for individuals who have disabilities related to fine motor skills, coordination, or cognitive function.

Vocational Experts

While not always a "doctor," a vocational expert can play a role in supporting your disability claim. These professionals assess your ability to work given your medical conditions and limitations.

• How They Help:
  Vocational experts can provide an opinion on whether your condition prevents you from doing your past work or any other work you might be qualified for. This is helpful if your claim progresses to the step 5 of the Social Security Disability determination process, which considers whether you can do any type of work.