Disability claims based on psychological/emotional disorders succeed or fail based on whether the claimant’s mental impairment either meets or equals Social Security’s listing criteria for psychological/emotional disorders. The listings, which are a set of requirements for particular impairments which Social Security recognizes as automatically qualifying a claimant if met or equaled, are different for different mental disorders, e.g. depression, bi-polar disorder, etc. Generally, however, they use the following criteria:
Perhaps the most important medical ingredient for a successful Social Security Disability claim is the support of a treating doctor(s). Why? Because SSA, by its own rules, recognizes that treating doctors are in the best position to give a professional opinion regarding a claimant’s impairments and their effect on his\her ability to work.
A properly drafted report by a treating doctor with a substantial history with the claimant, which clearly sets out the objective medical evidence proving a claimant’s impairment and also explains how the symptoms and limitations complained of by that claimant are consistent with the medical evidence, is going to be given special and sometimes controlling weight in Social Security’s disability determination.
Whether you have applied for disability benefits based on (Title II) or Supplemental Security Income (Title XVI) the disability test is the same.