How to Understand Special Examinations

When you start the process of applying for Social Security Disability, you’ll quickly learn there are many more parts to the process than you once thought. Thankfully, your trusted attorney specializing in Social Security, like the attorneys on our team at the Kenton Koszdin Law Office, can handle these parts. Some of these parts, however, will still require your participation and involvement alongside the work done by your attorney. This is true for those who find themselves in need of completing a “special examination.”

What is a ‘special examination’?

A special examination is a specific medical exam or diagnostic test that the Social Security Administration (SSA) requests to aid in assessing a person’s eligibility for benefits. The examination itself provides an objective and unbiased assessment of your physical state from a medical professional’s perspective. In most cases, the SSA schedules these examinations providing the claimant with the date, time, and location of the appointment.  SSA can provide transportation or the cost of transport reimbursed.

One of the most important factors to consider when scheduling a special examination is to keep an open line of communication with the SSA regarding any need to reschedule your appointment. More often than not, SSA will decide for you due to a “no call no show” to the appointment – and unsurprisingly, the decision is often not in the claimant’s favor.  While the doctor and other medical staff involved in the special examination are a vital part of helping provide the SSA with objective and unbiased evidence of your condition(s), they are not directly involved in deciding whether or not a claimant is awarded benefits.

Going through this sometimes-tedious process can seem a lot less daunting when you’ve got a skilled attorney on your side to ensure the examination, evaluation, and the award you may receive as compensation is fair and just to your individual needs. Contact us today at (800) 438-7734 to schedule your free and confidential consultation with the Kenton Koszdin Law Office, Social Security Attorney in Van Nuys.