Many times Social Security claimants will also have a claim for different types of benefits from other government agencies. One agency in particular this commonly occurs is the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. At the VA, if a member of the armed forces is found disabled, they will be given a disability rates from 0 percent to 100 percent disabled, but Social Security does not operate like this. When Social Security issues a disability decision it is either disabled or not disabled.
How Are Disability Determinations Made?
Social Security makes independent disability determinations. Our determination is based on all of the evidence from all sources in your individual case.
Do Disability Decisions By Other Agencies Affect SSA’s Determination Of Disability?
A decision by any other governmental agency or a nongovernmental entity about whether you are disabled, blind, employable, or entitled to any benefits is based on their own rules. The decision is not binding on Social Security and is not Social Security’s decision about whether you are disabled or blind under the agency’s rules. In a claim filed on or after March 27, 2017, Social Security will not provide any analysis in the determination or decision about a decision made by any other governmental agency or a nongovernmental entity about whether you are disabled, blind, employable, or entitled to any benefits. However, Social Security will consider all of the supporting evidence underlying the other governmental agency or nongovernmental entity’s decision that it receives as evidence in your claim.
Do Medical Opinions From A Medical Source Who Regularly Treats You Affect SSA’s Determination Of Disability?
As part of Social Security’s consideration of all evidence in a claim, the agency considers all medical opinions when making determinations and decisions. Social Security considers several factors, which are listed in the regulations, to determine how the agency evaluates medical opinions. Some of these factors include: supportability, consistency, the medical source’s relationship with the claimant, and the medical source’s specialty. The medical source’s relationship with the claimant including the length of the treatment relationship, frequency of examinations, purpose of the treatment relationship, extent of the treatment relationship, and examining relationship are factors we will consider when we consider the persuasiveness of that source’s medical opinion(s). However, the most important factors in considering the persuasiveness of a medical source opinion(s) is supportability and consistency. Although not as important, Social Security will also consider the medical source’s specialization as well as other factors.
Does SSA Consider Evidence From Non-medical Sources?
Yes. Social Security considers all evidence it receives from all sources, including non-medical sources. However, the agency is not required to articulate how it considered evidence from non-medical sources using the requirements noted under the rules.
