• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Has your disability claim been wrongfully denied or terminated? Call us today for help!  (888) 321-8131

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

OLF Ortiz Law Firm National Disability Attorneys

We appeal wrongful long term disability insurance and Social Security Disability denials.

  • ABOUT US
    • Our Team
    • Our Results
    • Areas We Serve
    • Core Values
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • Initial Application
    • Request for Reconsideration
    • Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
  • RESOURCES
    • Top 10 Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Social Security Disability Claim
    • SSD Training Webinar: Knowing What Wins
    • Physical RFC Form
    • Mental RFC Form
  • BLOG
  • Search
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT US
    • Areas We Serve
    • Testimonials
    • Our Team
      • Nick Ortiz
    • Our Office
    • Core Values
    • Referring Attorney Program
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • Long Term Disability Claims
      • Administrative Appeals
      • Lawsuits
      • Lump-Sum Buyout Offers
    • Social Security Disability Claims
      • Initial Applications
      • Request for Reconsideration
      • Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
    • Personal Injury Claims
  • DISABLING CONDITIONS
    • Long Term Disability
    • Social Security Disability
  • INSURANCE CARRIERS
    • Cigna
    • Guardian
    • Hartford
    • Lincoln Financial
    • Matrix Absence Management
    • MetLife
    • Mutual of Omaha
    • Northwestern Mutual
    • New York Life
    • Principal
    • Prudential
    • Reliance Standard
    • Standard
    • Unum
  • RESOURCES
    • Blog
    • Free Downloads
    • Lump Sum Disability Buyout Calculator
    • FAQ: Long Term Disability
    • FAQ: Social Security Disability
    • Abbreviations in Social Security Disability Claims
  • Search
  • CONTACT

Mobile Menu

Schedule A Free Consultation Now!

Find out how our law firm can help you win your case or you don’t pay a cent.

(888) 321-8131

  • ABOUT US
    • Areas We Serve
    • Testimonials
    • Our Team
      • Nick Ortiz
    • Our Office
    • Core Values
    • Referring Attorney Program
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • Long Term Disability Claims
      • Administrative Appeals
      • Lawsuits
      • Lump-Sum Buyout Offers
    • Social Security Disability Claims
      • Initial Applications
      • Request for Reconsideration
      • Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
    • Personal Injury Claims
  • DISABLING CONDITIONS
    • Long Term Disability
    • Social Security Disability
  • INSURANCE CARRIERS
    • Cigna
    • Guardian
    • Hartford
    • Lincoln Financial
    • Matrix Absence Management
    • MetLife
    • Mutual of Omaha
    • Northwestern Mutual
    • New York Life
    • Principal
    • Prudential
    • Reliance Standard
    • Standard
    • Unum
  • RESOURCES
    • Blog
    • Free Downloads
    • Lump Sum Disability Buyout Calculator
    • FAQ: Long Term Disability
    • FAQ: Social Security Disability
    • Abbreviations in Social Security Disability Claims
  • Search
  • CONTACT
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
You are here: Home / Social Security Disability Frequently Asked Questions / Medically Determinable Impairment

Medically Determinable Impairment

The statuory definition of disability specifies that you must have a “medically determinable physical or mental impairment”.

A medically determinable physical or mental impairment is an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques. A physical or mental impairment must be established by medical evidence consisting of signs, symptoms, and/or laboratory findings-not only by the individual’s statement of symptoms.

By definition, those impairments which cannot be proven by an objective medical test (such as an X-Ray or MRI) are more difficult to prove. For example, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia relies significantly on the patient’s subjective complaints. There is not an X-Ray which will prove the existence of fibromyalgia. That is why these types of soft tissue disorders are more difficult to prove than say a “broken back”, which can be proven with an MRI. Moreover, the above definition means that mental disorders are difficult to prove. Not impossible to prove. Just more difficult because you cannot exactly prove a disorder like bipolar disorder with an X-Ray.

In short, some disorders are more difficult to prove than others. This is why the claimant’s credibility and medical records are so important.

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail

Primary Sidebar

Disability Academy

Watch the Knowing What Wins Training Webinar

Top Ten Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Social Security Disability Claim

View All Social Security Disability Resources


Tim Anderson

My only regret is that this review is about seven years overdue. I rarely write reviews and did the firm a disservice by not submitting any reviews of the great service I received from the Ortiz Law Firm back in 2013. If I recall correctly, he was the only attorney with the firm then. He and his staff were very deserving of a positive review. Today I was reminded of the EXCELLENT service received from Nick Ortiz while looking for an attorney for my VA disability claim, and decided to write the belated review that I should have at the time.

Nick succeeded in getting my Social Security Disability claim approved the first time through. I wasn't getting very far in the initial filing of my claim for SSDI benefits, just spinning my wheels trying to navigate SSA's requirements and gathering the necessary records. My physical and mental health had me really stressed out, and I was overwhelmed with just getting by day-to-day. I met with Nick O for a free consultation. He impressed me with his ability to listen and understand my issues and with his track record dealing with the SSA. He had a very pleasant personality, and was easy to talk to. He accepted my case, and handled everything involving my claim.

About four to five months later, my claim was approved! No need to file an appeal or anything else. I was/am extremely pleased with the outcome. His fee was some of the best money I ever spent. He earned every penny of it and then some!

I would definitely recommend Nick Ortiz for any of his practice areas and have done so numerous times to friends and others dealing with the SSA.

https://youtu.be/3_sfwSkG0pI

View All Testimonials

Learn More About Social Security Disability

  • Areas We Serve
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Denials and Appeals
  • Common Mistakes
  • Insider Tips
  • Non-Medical Eligibility
  • Conditions That May Qualify
  • Social Security Disability Blog

Complete This CONFIDENTIAL Form for a FREE Social Security Disability Case Evaluation

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Footer

Location

ORTIZ LAW FIRM
(888) 321-8131

316 S Baylen St
Ste 590
Pensacola, FL 32502
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Our Team

  • Nick Ortiz
  • Jessica Ortiz
  • Dawn Keller
  • Tory Nelson

Practice Areas

  • Long Term Disability Insurance and ERISA Disability Insurance Claims
  • Social Security Disability Claims
  • Personal Injury Claims
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Site Footer

©2020 Ortiz Law Firm, All Rights Reserved. Reproduced with Permission | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!