If your employer-based disability benefits have been denied, the reason given may be that there just isn’t enough medical evidence to support your claim of being disabled in your file. This does not mean that you are not disabled, of course. It just means that the documentation to prove this has not been provided or was not deemed adequate.
This is why gathering proper medical evidence is such a crucial part of this process, especially if there is a dispute. The medical evidence can provide proof of the benefits that are necessary. There are three different types that may be used in many cases.
1. Evidence from a physical exam
First of all, a doctor may perform a physical exam. They will look at things like your range of motion, any indication of swelling or bruising, difficulty completing certain tasks or a reduction in skills – such as difficulty seeing or hearing.
2. Evidence from medical tests
Next, doctors and other medical professionals can carry out various tests to get more in-depth information. If you have a brain injury, for example, they may use an MRI. Other tests include x-rays, CT scans, and PET scans. These can help to show how severe injuries are and determine the root causes.
3. Evidence from lab tests
Finally, lab tests may be carried out to get even more information, although this can take some time. For example, you may have a biopsy to determine if you have cancer, or you could have a blood test done to look for irregularities. It may take weeks for the lab to look at the sample, but this is very important evidence.
If you are involved in a dispute about your disability benefits, make sure you also understand your legal options.