If you’re exhausted from explaining your condition over and over again, you’re not alone.
Many Social Security disability applicants — and even people already receiving SSDI or SSI — feel stuck in this frustrating loop:
- You say you’re struggling.
- Your doctor writes “stable” or “doing fine.”
- Social Security reads the record and assumes you can function.
- And you’re left wondering how your real life can feel so difficult while your paperwork looks so normal.
This isn’t about being dramatic. It’s about being understood — in the language the Social Security Administration (SSA) actually evaluates.
Think of this as a neighborly heads-up, not a lecture.
The Core Truth: A Diagnosis Is Not a Disability
During our recent live event, Attorney James Mitchell Brown said something simple but powerful:
“A diagnosis is not a disability.”
Social Security does not approve claims because you have:
- Degenerative disc disease
- A stroke
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Heart disease
They approve claims based on functional limitations.
SSA looks at whether your condition prevents you from consistently performing basic work activities like:
- Sitting
- Standing
- Walking
- Lifting
- Concentrating
- Staying on task for a full workday
If your medical records don’t clearly describe those limits, SSA is left to guess. And guessing rarely works in your favor.
The Shift: Start With What You Can’t Do
Most people say:
- “I have back problems.”
- “I had a stroke.”
- “I have anxiety.”
Attorney Brown recommends a different approach.
Lead with this sentence:
“I cannot work because I cannot…”
Then fill in the specifics:
- Sit longer than 15 minutes without changing position
- Stand longer than 10 minutes without resting
- Walk more than 9 minutes before needing 20 minutes of recovery
- Lift more than 10 pounds without pain
- Focus longer than 10 minutes before losing track
That’s the kind of clarity that strengthens a disability claim.
The Quiet Mistake That Hurts Disability Claims
Doctor walks in and asks, “How are you?”
You say, “Fine.”
The chart says, “Patient is fine.”
And that’s what SSA reads.
Instead of starting with polite, start with accurate:
- “I couldn’t sit in the waiting room without pain.”
- “I had to rest twice getting from the car to the building.”
- “I’m waking up exhausted even with my CPAP.”
- “I can’t turn my neck to check traffic when driving.”
Social Security reads what’s written — not what you meant.
Be Specific. Vague Language Weakens Claims.
“I can’t walk very far” can mean:
- 2 minutes
- 2 hours
- A mile
- Across a room
Replace it with something measurable:
- “I can walk 9 minutes, then I must sit 20 minutes.”
- “After resting, I can only walk 5 minutes.”
- “I can manage inside my home but not a grocery store without multiple breaks.”
Specificity turns your experience into evidence.
Protect Your Credibility
Avoid extreme phrases like:
- “I can’t lift anything.”
A judge might ask, “How did you get dressed?”
Instead, say:
- “I can’t lift a gallon of milk.”
- “Reaching into the refrigerator causes pain.”
- “I can dress myself, but it takes longer and increases pain.”
Credibility isn’t about minimizing your symptoms. It’s about describing them accurately.
A Simple Strategy That Helps: Bring a Written List
Doctors are busy. Sometimes they only have minutes.
Bring a one-page note that includes:
- Your top symptoms
- Time-based limitations
- 2–3 real-life examples
- Medication side effects
- Changes since your last visit
Then ask:
- “What are my restrictions for an 8-hour workday?”
- How long can I sit?
- How long can I stand or walk?
- How much can I lift?
This keeps the conversation medical and objective — and strengthens your documentation.
From Our Advocate Team: What We’re Seeing Right Now
Contributor: Nadine, Advocate Team Leader
As disability reviews increase and long-standing backlogs continue to clear, we’re seeing a noticeable pattern: more members are confused, discouraged, and often frightened by denial letters or review notices.
The first question we hear is almost always the same:
“Did I do something wrong?”
Most of the time, the answer is no.
What we’re seeing isn’t misconduct. It isn’t dishonesty. It isn’t carelessness. It’s a communication gap.
Many medical records list diagnoses and symptoms — but they don’t clearly describe functional limitations. And Social Security does not make decisions based on diagnosis alone. They evaluate whether someone can sustain full-time work activity, day after day.
That distinction matters.
When records say:
- “My anxiety is bad.”
Social Security still has to ask: What does that mean in a work setting?
So we help members translate lived experience into measurable, specific language.
Instead of:
- “My anxiety is bad.”
We guide them toward:
- “I can’t stay focused longer than 10 minutes before losing concentration.”
Instead of:
- “My back hurts.”
We guide them toward:
- “I cannot sit longer than 15 minutes without needing to stand and change positions.”
This is not about exaggerating symptoms. It’s about clarifying impact.
- Clarity reduces panic.
- Preparation reduces mistakes.
- Specifics strengthen credibility.
- And when members respond calmly, completely, and on time, outcomes improve.
Our role is not just administrative — it’s educational. We help members slow down, organize their experiences, and present them in a way the system can properly evaluate.
Behind the Scenes: How We Support the Advocates
Contributor: Charm, HR Team Leader
When reviews increase, so does stress — for members and advocates.
Our job in HR is to make sure the people helping you are supported, trained, and not overwhelmed. That means:
- Balanced workloads so your case gets proper attention
- Ongoing training on SSA communication standards and policy updates
- Team well-being support to prevent burnout
- Clear internal processes so nothing falls through the cracks
What does that mean for you?
- You’re not getting rushed conversations or generic advice
- Your questions are handled by advocates who understand SSA language and expectations
- Your case is approached strategically — not emotionally
- You have a team behind your advocate, not just one overwhelmed representative
When advocates feel steady, members feel steady.
We don’t operate like a call center. We operate like a community that understands how much these benefits matter — because for many families, they are the difference between stability and crisis.
And that’s exactly why we invest in our people first — so they can show up fully for you.
Watch the Replay: Attorney Brown + Michael Sexton
If this conversation about functional limitations and protecting your Social Security disability benefits hit home, we encourage you to watch the full replays from our recent live events.
Attorney James Mitchell Brown
In the session featuring Attorney James Mitchell Brown, you’ll hear directly from a seasoned SSDI attorney explaining why diagnosis alone isn’t enough — and how clearly documented work restrictions can strengthen your case.
Watch Attorney Brown’s live event replay here
Michael Sexton
In a separate session, Michael Sexton leads a focused discussion on how to communicate your limitations effectively — especially during disability reviews and medical appointments. He breaks down how small wording changes can protect your benefits and reduce avoidable denials.
Watch Michael Sexton’s replay here
If you’re applying, appealing, or preparing for a Continuing Disability Review (CDR), these conversations provide clarity straight from experienced voices inside the disability space.
Sometimes one clear explanation can prevent months of frustration.
Who This Helps
This matters if you are:
- Applying for Social Security Disability
- Appealing a denial
- Already approved and facing a CDR (continuing disability review)
- Approved and trying to work within income limits
Different paths — same need for clarity.
Final Thought
Most people don’t lose benefits because they aren’t truly disabled. They lose because the system can’t clearly “see” their limitations in writing.
You don’t need dramatic language. You need specific, consistent, and credible documentation.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone. We’re glad you’re here.
Need Help?
- Email: support@thedisabilitydigest.com
- Benny (assistant): https://www.thedisabilitydigest.com/benny/
- my Social Security: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
- Free Benefit Review: https://www.thedisabilitydigest.com/disability-benefits-review/
