12 Mar Top 7 Reasons Veterans Are Denied SSDI Benefits
Posted at 12:36h
in Denial, Social Security Disability, Social Security Disability Benefits, SSDI Lawyer, VA Disability Benefits
Top 7 Reasons Veterans Are Denied SSDI Benefits
Every year, thousands of Veterans apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits—but many face unexpected denials. After serving your country, it’s frustrating to be denied the benefits you deserve.
Understanding why SSDI claims get denied is the first step to overcoming these challenges and improving your chances of approval.
Understanding SSDI vs. VA Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial support to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. For Veterans, it’s important to understand that SSDI is separate from VA disability benefits—approval for one does not guarantee approval for the other.
To qualify for SSDI, you must have a qualifying disability that prevents you from performing substantial work and earn enough work credits—typically from at least five of the last ten years of employment.Unlike VA disability, which is based on a percentage system, SSDI requires you to prove you are completely unable to work in any job due to your medical condition.
Knowing these differences can help Veterans avoid mistakes during the application process.
Why Your SSDI Claim Might Be Denied
1. Insufficient Medical Evidence
One of the most common reasons veterans are denied SSDI benefits is insufficient medical evidence. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires detailed medical records proving that your disability prevents you from working.
Many Veterans struggle with incomplete medical records from the VA or private doctors, lack of documentation for mental health conditions, or inconsistent reports that fail to show how your disability limits your ability to work.
To avoid this mistake, gather comprehensive records from all healthcare providers. Make sure your doctors clearly explain how your condition affects your daily tasks and employment.
2. Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment
The SSA may deny your SSDI claim if you fail to follow prescribed medical treatment that could improve your condition. They assume that, with proper care, you might be able to return to work.
Veterans often struggle with treatment due to severe side effects from medications, limited access to specialized care, or mental health challenges affecting compliance.
If treatment is causing problems, always document reasons for missing or refusing treatment and discuss alternatives with your doctor if treatment is unbearable.
3. Incomplete or Inaccurate SSDI Applications
Errors or missing information on your SSDI application can lead to a quick denial. The SSA needs a clear and accurate picture of your medical condition and how it affects your ability to work.
Common application mistakes include leaving out secondary conditions like PTSD or chronic pain, failing to describe how your disability impacts daily life, or providing inconsistent information across medical and work records.
To avoid this mistake, double-check your application for accuracy and completeness and include detailed descriptions of your limitations and symptoms. Hiring an SSDI lawyer can ensure your claim is thorough and correct.
4. SSA Believes You Can Still Work
The SSA may deny your SSDI claim if they believe you can still perform substantial gainful activity (SGA)—any work that earns a certain monthly amount.
This often happens to veterans because invisible disabilities like PTSD or traumatic brain injury are hard to measure, medical records may downplay the severity of your condition, or the SSA may assume you can handle light-duty or desk jobs.
Don’t forget to obtain a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form from your doctor detailing your physical and mental limitations. Submit evidence showing how your condition affects consistent work performance.
5. Inconsistent Work History or Lack of Work Credits
To qualify for SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits by paying into Social Security through previous employment. Gaps in your work history can lead to denial.
Veterans often face this issue due to service-related breaks in employment that may reduce work credits, misunderstanding how military work counts toward SSDI eligibility, or failing to document disruptions caused by service-connected disabilities.
Make sure to request your work history from the SSA to confirm your credits and document how your service-related conditions impacted your ability to work.
6. Failure to Cooperate with the SSA
The SSA may deny your SSDI claim if you fail to follow their requests during the review process. Cooperation is essential to keep your application moving forward.
Veterans sometimes miss consultative exams (CE) scheduled by the SSA, fail to provide updated medical records or required documents, or ignore follow-up requests for additional information.
Make sure to respond to all SSA requests promptly and accurately and attend all medical evaluations and exams.