Responding To A Consultative Examination Report

A Social Security Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) may order a Consultative medical or psychiatric examination as part of the Social Security Disability Hearing procedure. When this occurs, the Social Security Disability claimant has several options in responding to the Consultative Examination:

• Submit no response
• Submit written comments to the examiner
• Submit additional records in response to the Consultative Examination including a report from the treating physician
• Submit written questions to the consultative examiner
• Request a Supplemental Hearing to produce evidence and question the consultative examiner

Unless the consultative examiner’s report is favorable to the claimant, a response is mandatory. The report becomes part of the record and the ALJ will make a decision on all the evidence including the report. Of course, if there is no credible response to the consultative examiner’s report, the ALJ can use the report as a basis to deny the Social Security Disability claim.

The most practical response to the consultative examiner’s report is to submit written comments and arguments regarding the report. If a treating doctor will provide a report contesting the consultative exams report, the treating doctor’s report should be submitted with written comment and arguments.

To increase your chances of winning your Social Security Disability claim it is important for you to hire an experienced Social Security Disability attorney to get you the Social Security Disability help you deserve. Please call us at 1-800-882-5500 or fill out a form on our website for a FREE claim evaluation.