When applying for Social Security Disability benefits, medical records are a key part of your case—but they don’t always tell the full story. Conditions like mental health and chronic pain disorders, and some neurological disorders are often difficult to diagnose and prove solely through objective medical tests.
The more ways you can demonstrate how your condition affects your daily life, the stronger your case will be. A great way to document the impact of your conditions is by keeping a symptom journal. A journal that shows your day-to-day functioning is something that medical records alone may not fully capture. Let’s dive into how to use a symptom journal effectively, as well as some other forms of documentation that can strengthen your case.
What to Track in a Symptom Journal
A symptom journal is a powerful tool that helps paint a clearer picture of your daily challenges. When creating one, consider tracking the following:
▪️ Severe recurring symptoms: migraine headaches, seizures, debilitating spine pain, happen intermittently, for example. Document when they happen and what you do when they occur.
▪️ Limitations in Your Daily Activities: Note tasks that are difficult or impossible to complete and why. This list can include basic activities like getting dressed, keeping up personal hygiene, cooking, cleaning, driving, getting groceries, etc.
▪️ Frequency of Issues: How often do you experience difficulties? Tracking patterns over time helps establish the consistency and severity of your condition.
▪️ Use of Assistance or Adaptive Tools: If you rely on mobility aids, reminders, or assistance from others, include this information.
Download Our Free Symptom Journal Guide
If you’re preparing to apply for disability benefits or facing a review of your case, having a structured way to track your condition is essential. To help with this, we’ve created a free Symptom Journal Guide. This guide will give you a clear outline of what to track, how to document changes over time, and what details can help strengthen your case. It’s a great starting point to ensure you have consistent and thorough documentation of how your symptoms limit what you can do.
Other Helpful Forms of Evidence
Medical records are the backbone of every disability claim. Consistent treatment records that include your honest and repeated reports of your symptoms to your medical providers and evidence that you are following your treatment recommendations are critical. Along with a symptom journal, other non-medical evidence can strengthen your case, including:
▪️ Personal Statements: A detailed but focused written account of your condition, describing how it impacts your ability to work and perform daily tasks can help your case.
▪️ Statements from Family, Friends, or Caregivers: Those who interact with you regularly can provide valuable insight into how your condition affects your daily life.
▪️ Employer or Coworker Statements: If you’ve struggled to maintain employment due to your condition, a statement from a former employer or colleague can help illustrate these challenges.
These supporting documents play a crucial role in building a stronger case. For a more comprehensive look at how to gather and use supporting documentation for your disability claim, check out this blog.
At Roose Ressler & Green, we know how important the right evidence is in a disability case. If you need guidance on what documentation to gather or how to strengthen your claim, we’re here to help. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case and next steps.
The Roose Ressler & Green Co., LPA Team is located in Lorain, Toledo, and Wooster, Ohio. You can count on us as your local disability advocates to analyze your case thoroughly in order to determine what is necessary for you to receive benefits. We assess the best methods to prove the crucial facts of your case and gather the necessary evidence. Having 40+ years of experience serving Northern Ohioans, we know the ins and outs of the local disability process.