But what does it mean to be disabled? It’s not enough that your doctor has stated you are disabled — you must prove with medical evidence and your own statements that you cannot do “substantial gainful activity.”
Substantial gainful activity does not mean simply that you can’t do your regular job–you must show that you are unable to do any job that does not require sophisticated training or skills.
You must also show that your disability has lasted or is expected to last at least a year.
Finally, your disability must be thoroughly documented with medical reports and test results. The Social Security Administration is not likely to easily award you benefits based on one doctor’s report, or on an MRI or CAT scan report that is not explained by a doctor’s report.
it is a shame that the Social Security Disability administration and judges demand that you fight to get benefits when you are too disabled to work–however, with the right planning and strategy, you can move through the system more quickly and efficiently to get the benefiits you deserve.