How Long After a Disability Exam Do They Make a Decision?

It sometimes takes three to six months after a disability exam for a decision to be made on a Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits claim. However, the length of time for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to decide on your claim after your consultative examination (CE) varies depending on many factors, including how long it takes a doctor to file their report. 

Speak with a Social Security Disability lawyer if you have been waiting a long time after your disability exam to receive a decision from the SSA. If your SSD application has been denied, your attorney can help you file an appeal to help you get the disability benefits that you deserve.

How Long After a Disability Medical Exam Will I Get a Decision?

The SSA takes its time on all SSD applications, and there’s no way to know how long after your disability exam it will take to get a decision. While you wait for your decision letter following your medical evaluation, some signs that you may be approved for disability benefits include: 

• You provided substantial evidence of a serious medical condition and various symptoms that affect you.
• You have evidence to prove that you work a physically demanding job and can’t switch to another profession. 
• You are no longer able to work and have an extensive work history. 
• You have received hospitalizations, therapies, and surgeries due to one or more physical impairments and see specialists for them on a regular basis. 

Remember, who you choose as your legal representation can make a difference relative to the time it takes after a medical exam to get a decision. Trust a Social Security Disability attorney who has a track record of success in cases similar to yours. Your lawyer will keep you updated about your claim status and let you know as soon as the SSA decides on it. 

What Happens After a CE Exam?

The SSA has a disability determination process that can include a consultative exam to gather medical evidence relating to your claim.

A doctor could perform a physical examination and a mental exam. Following your assessment, your doctor will report your functional limitations, diagnoses, lab findings, and other test results to Disability Determination Services (DDS).

A state agency examiner will evaluate your CE results in conjunction with your medical records to make a decision. This typically occurs within a few months of your claim exam. Once a decision is made, the examiner will send their report to the SSA. At this point, the SSA will approve or deny your disability claim, and you could receive your decision letter months later. 

Ideally, your disability claim is approved, and you receive an award letter. Or, if your claim is denied, you have 60 days to file an appeal. In this situation, consult with a Social Security Disability appeals lawyer.

This gives you access to an attorney who will guide you through the Social Security Disability appeals process and help you make informed decisions at each stage. 

Why Will Your Claim Be Denied After a CE Exam?

On top of the fact that it could take a long time after a disability exam to make a decision after you submit your application and medical evidence, your benefits request could be rejected if an examiner‘s findings do not support the alleged severity of your limitations or if a doctor’s report conflicts with your medical history. 

If your benefits application gets denied the first time you apply, don’t fret. Most applications get denied the first time, and you can still file an appeal. While you don’t need a Social Security Disability lawyer to appeal an SSD claim denial, an attorney can make the process easier to manage and boost your chances of success. 

Your lawyer can submit a reconsideration request. With this, a new examiner will assess your medical records and any supplemental evidence that you provide.

Your attorney can provide insights into how long it takes Social Security to decide on an appeal. If your reconsideration is denied, your lawyer could ask for a hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ).

How to Avoid a Claim Denial Following a CE Exam

Prepare for your CE exam to minimize your risk of a claim denial down the line. Before your exam, put together a list of medications and treatments for your condition.

In addition, be ready to provide examples of how your condition affects you daily. This ensures you can tell a doctor about your condition, and they can see how it limits your ability to work and enjoy life. 

If a doctor asks you questions about your condition and symptoms during your exam, be honest and transparent. Don’t exaggerate, as doing so could lead to inconsistencies between what you report to the doctor and what’s included in your medical records. These inconsistencies could prompt the SSA to deny your claim. 

Take notes relating to your CE exam and request a copy of your doctor’s report from DDS. Furthermore, partner with an attorney who will give your SSD benefits claim their personal attention. Your lawyer will take the guesswork out of your CE exam and position you to get your benefits request approved without delay. 

Learn More About How Long After a Disability Exam It Will Take for You to Get a Decision

You wonder how long after a disability exam the Social Security Administration needs to make a decision. Talk with Social Security Disability lawyers, as they will give you insights into this and other topics relating to the specifics of your situation. If you’ve been waiting a long time for a decision on your benefits claim, your attorney will get to the root of this issue right away.

Pilzer Klein has a legal team in place with over 50 years of combined experience. Our team knows the impact of consultative examination reports relative to our clients’ cases.

We can discuss how long before a CE exam decision will be made and assist you with all aspects of your SSD benefits claim. To get started, schedule a free consultation.