Why Medical Evidence Is Essential

The SSA evaluates claims based on medical records rather than just personal statements. Proper evidence helps demonstrate:

• The severity of your condition.
• How your disability limits your ability to perform work-related tasks.
• That your disability is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Types of Medical Evidence You Should Include

1. Doctor’s Office Records

• Routine visit notes and diagnoses.
• Treatment plans and updates.
• Medication lists and prescription history.

2. Hospital and Clinic Records

• Emergency room visits and hospitalization records.
• Surgical reports.
• Lab results, imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans).
• Evaluations from specialists, such as neurologists, cardiologists, or psychiatrists.

3. Statements From Medical Providers

• Letters from your treating physicians explaining your limitations.
• Descriptions of how your condition affects daily activities and work ability.
• Prognosis and expected duration of your disability.

4. Ongoing Treatment Documentation

• Proof that you are following prescribed treatments.
• Attendance records for therapy, rehabilitation, or counseling sessions.
• Documentation of hospitalizations or medical interventions.

How SSA Reviews Medical Evidence in New Mexico

SSA examiners in New Mexico use a five-step process:

1. Determine if your condition is severe enough to limit basic work tasks.
2. Check if it meets or equals a listing in the SSA’s Blue Book.
3. Assess your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)—what work tasks you can still perform.
4. Determine if you can perform past work.
5. Evaluate if other work exists given your skills, education, and age.

Strong, detailed medical evidence at each step is critical for approval.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting only a diagnosis without supporting treatment history.
• Forgetting lab results or specialist reports.
• Relying solely on personal statements of symptoms.
• Omitting records from all treating physicians.