State Agency Physician Opinions

During the early stages of the social security disability application process, your medical records will be reviewed by doctors who have never seen you or examined you at a state agency. These physicians look over the medical records submitted and render opinions about whether or not you can engage in work activity. Often, these opinions are ignored by the Administrative Law Judges; however, it is usually important to obtain special reports from your treating doctors to make sure that the opinions of these non-examining physicians are not used against you.