Diagnosis vs. Severity

One of the most common mistakes that people make when they apply for disability without an attorney is relying on their diagnoses rather than on the severity of their condition. For example, when we interact with an employer or with DHS, all they need to see is a diagnosis from a doctor and they’re satisfied. Social Security, on the other hand, is looking far more deeply. Social Security doesn’t care about what your doctor says that you have been diagnosed with; Social Security cares about what your doctor says those diagnoses do to you in terms of physical and mental limitations.