Podiatrists

Do not underestimate the importance of podiatrists.  when applying for Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits.  The Social Security regulations specifically state that podiatrists are acceptable medical sources for purposes of establishing impairments of the foot.  Claimants frequently overlook podiatrists with foot problems when they are not the primary impairment.

We represent a 56 year N.Y.P.D. detective from North Carolina who had been found disabled because he needed kidney dialysis.  After recovering from a kidney transplant, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) conducted a hearing during a continuing disability review (“CDR”).  The SSA reinstated benefits yesterday.  However, the CDR found that the claimant was disabled based on the claimant’s foot problems from diabetes, not any renal impairment.

Regardless of whether a foot problem is your primary impairment, your podiatrist’s records and disability opinion should be sought.