Ask Larry

How Does Social Security Decide If I'm Disabled?

va gave me a disability card due to , degeneration of the spine , i am 62 not collecting ss, i can't live on that, will ss look at the va findings and disable me for higher benefits

Hi,

Social Security has their own standard for determining eligibility for disability benefits. They will look at your medical records from the VA, but they won't adopt the VA's determination of disability. The VA has their own separate disability standards, including partial disabilities. Social Security disability eligibility requires that a person be unable to do all types of substantial gainful work.

The best way to find out if you are eligible is to file for Social Security disability benefits. There is no charge for applying, and if additional medical evidence is required, SSA will pay for any necessary consultative examinations.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Jul 21 2016 - 11:30am
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