Why Social Security Denies Disability Claims

Social Security disability claims are denied for many different reasons—and understanding why Social Security denies disability claims can help you understand what happened to your case and what may need to happen next. Need help with your Social Security Disability, SSI, or Long-Term Disability claim? 📋 Free Case Evaluation https://www.freedisabilityevaluation.com In this episode of The Disability Expert Podcast, attorneys Chad Brown and Aaron Dalton break down where disability claims can fail throughout Social Security’s evaluation process, from technical eligibility problems to medical evidence, past work, and the final determination of whether Social Security believes you can perform other work. What You’ll Learn • Why working or earning too much can result in a disability denial • How Date Last Insured can affect SSDI eligibility • Why SSI claims can be denied because of assets or resources • How insufficient medical treatment or objective medical evidence can hurt a claim • Why an impairment generally must meet Social Security’s duration requirement • How Social Security decides whether you can return to your past relevant work • Why accurately completing your work history report matters • How your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) affects the disability decision • Why age can become important at the final stages of the evaluation • How inconsistencies between your testimony, forms, and medical records can damage a claim • Why a denial does not necessarily mean you should quit pursuing your disability case A Social Security disability denial does not always mean that you aren't disabled or that your case cannot ultimately be won. The important question is understanding why the claim was denied, whether the decision should be challenged, and what the denial tells you about your case moving forward. Key Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: Dealing with the frustration of a disability denial. 0:43 - The shock of being denied and common questions claimants ask. 1:40 - Overview of the 5-step Sequential Evaluation Process. 2:15 - Step 1: Substantial Gainful Activity (Earnings limits and work-based denials). 3:27 - Technical Denials: Explaining "Date Last Insured" (DLI). 5:15 - Technical Denials: Resource and asset limits for SSI. 6:42 - Step 2: Medically Determinable Severe Impairment. 8:15 - The necessity of objective medical evidence (MRIs, records). 10:15 - Step 3: The Listings (Evaluating specific body systems and severity). 12:20 - Step 4: Returning to Past Relevant Work. 14:05 - Why the Work History Report is your first line of defense. 16:30 - Step 5: Other work in the national economy (Vocational Expert testimony). 17:35 - Evidentiary issues: Treatment gaps, age, and credibility. 18:50 - Supportability and consistency among medical providers. 20:15 - Final summary: How to move forward and seek a review after a denial. Want to talk to us about your case? 📞 Free case review: 336-546-5066 🎙 The Disability Expert Podcast is hosted by attorney Chad Brown, a NC Board Certified Social Security Disability Law Specialist, helping people navigate Social Security Disability, SSI, and long-term disability claims. 🌐 Learn more about our firm: https://www.chadbrownlaw.com About Chad Brown Law: Chad Brown Law is a Social Security Disability law firm helping claimants nationwide with SSDI, SSI, and long-term disability appeals and hearings. #SocialSecurityDisability #DisabilityDenial #SSDI #SSI #DisabilityBenefits