Disability Evaluations

Disability evaluation is an important aspect of clinical care. Accurate evaluation significantly affects the wellbeing of both patients and society, given the impact of disability status on financial remuneration, return to work, personal and workplace productivity, and access for existing and future health care needs. Both treating and consulting clinicians are often asked to evaluate their patients for disability. Input from treating clinicians is crucial to disability evaluation because they often have the most in-depth and longitudinal knowledge of the patient's conditions and function, may be aware of medical and psychosocial contributions to ongoing disability, and can best advise on severity, permanency, and possible accommodations needed for an impairment. Assessment of disability is complex, variable, and challenging even among clinicians experienced in disability determination. A number of factors give rise to these challenges.

The determination of disability requires a synthesis of clinical and nonclinical information. This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and /or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advise or a substitute for the medical advise, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options.