Reasons Why SSD Claims are Denied in Memphis, Tennessee

Receiving a denial letter from the Social Security Administration can feel devastating, especially when you genuinely cannot work due to a disabling condition. Unfortunately, if you live in Memphis and recently applied for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, you’re facing an uphill battle. Tennessee’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) approves approximately 38.3% of initial applications, which is slightly below the national average of 38%.

Understanding why the SSA denies so many claims can help you avoid common pitfalls and strengthen your application or appeal. At Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, we’ve helped Memphis residents navigate the complex SSD process for over 50 years. In this guide, we’ll explain the six most common reasons SSD claims get denied in Memphis and what you can do if you receive a denial.

Insufficient Medical Evidence

The most common reason the SSA denies SSD claims is insufficient medical evidence. The Social Security Administration requires comprehensive medical documentation that proves your condition prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity. Simply having a diagnosis is not enough; you must demonstrate through medical records that your disability significantly limits your ability to work.

Many Memphis residents receive denials because their medical records contain gaps in treatment, incomplete documentation, or outdated information. The SSA requires medical evidence that is recent enough to reflect your current condition. If you haven’t seen a doctor recently or have inconsistent treatment records, the SSA may conclude that your condition isn’t as severe as you claim.

If your medical documentation is outdated, the SSA may request updated records or examinations to obtain current information about your condition. This creates challenges for claimants who cannot afford regular medical care or who live in areas with limited healthcare access.

What Medical Documentation the SSA Requires

To approve your SSD claim, the SSA needs:

Complete medical provider contact information – Include names, addresses, and phone numbers for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics where you’ve received treatment

Detailed treatment history – Document all appointments, procedures, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits related to your condition

Diagnostic test results – Provide copies of X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, blood work, and other objective medical tests

Physician statements about functional limitations – Ask your doctors to document specific limitations, such as how long you can stand, walk, sit, lift, or concentrate

Ongoing treatment records – Show that you continue to seek medical care and follow prescribed treatment plans

The more thorough your medical documentation, the stronger your claim. Working with an experienced SSD attorney can help you gather and organize the medical evidence the SSA requires.

Failure to Meet the SSA’s Definition of Disability

The Social Security Administration uses a strict definition of disability that differs from other disability programs or common understanding. To qualify for SSD benefits, you must prove that your condition prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful activity—not just your previous job.

Your disability must meet these criteria:

• The condition must last at least 12 consecutive months or result in death
• You cannot perform the work you did before
• You cannot adjust to other work due to your medical condition
• Your disability must be total—partial or short-term disabilities do not qualify

Many Memphis residents mistakenly believe that if they cannot return to their previous occupation, they automatically qualify for SSD benefits. However, Tennessee disability examiners evaluate whether you can perform any type of work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy, regardless of whether such jobs are available in Memphis.

The SSA considers your age, education, work experience, and transferable skills when determining if you can adjust to other work. For example, if you worked in construction but can no longer perform physical labor, the SSA may determine you can transition to sedentary work like data entry or customer service.

Common misconceptions about what qualifies as “disabled” under SSA rules lead to many denials. Understanding the SSA’s strict definition helps you frame your application to address their specific criteria.

Earning Above the Substantial Gainful Activity Limit

The SSA will issue a technical denial if you earn above the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit. For 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 per month for blind individuals. If you earn more than these amounts, the SSA considers you capable of substantial gainful activity, regardless of your medical condition.

The SSA calculates your earnings based on gross income before taxes and deductions. This includes wages from employment, self-employment income, and certain other payments. However, the SSA does not count income from sources like investments, interest, or gifts.

Part-time work can complicate SSD claims. While working part-time may seem like a reasonable way to supplement your income while waiting for a decision, earning above the SGA limit—even temporarily—can result in an automatic denial. Memphis residents who attempt to work despite their disabilities must carefully track their earnings to avoid exceeding the threshold.

The SSA does offer trial work periods that allow you to test your ability to work without immediately losing benefits. During a trial work period, you can earn any amount for up to nine months (not necessarily consecutive) within a 60-month period. However, these provisions only apply after you’ve been approved for benefits, not during the initial application process.

If you’re currently working or considering part-time employment while your claim is pending, consult with an SSD attorney to understand how your earnings might affect your eligibility. Learn more about SGA limits on the SSA website.

Lack of Sufficient Work Credits

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have earned sufficient work credits through Social Security taxes. The SSA awards work credits based on your annual earnings—in 2025, you earn one credit for each $1,810 in earnings, up to a maximum of four credits per year.

The number of work credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

Many Memphis residents confuse SSDI with Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While both programs provide benefits to people with disabilities, they have different eligibility requirements:

• SSDI requires work credits and is based on your work history and Social Security tax contributions
• SSI does not require work credits but has strict income and asset limits

If you don’t have enough work credits for SSDI, you may still qualify for SSI benefits. However, SSI provides lower monthly payments and has more restrictive eligibility requirements.

You can check your work credit status by creating a “my Social Security” account at ssa.gov or by requesting a Social Security Statement. Understanding your work credit situation before applying can help you determine which program to apply for and avoid unnecessary denials.

Not Following Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan

The SSA expects claimants to follow prescribed treatment plans. If you fail to comply with your doctor’s recommendations without a valid reason, the SSA may deny your claim. The reasoning is straightforward: if treatment could improve your condition enough to allow you to work, but you refuse that treatment, you’re not doing everything possible to return to gainful employment.

However, the SSA recognizes several valid reasons for not following treatment:

Cost – If you cannot afford prescribed treatment, medications, or procedures, and you don’t qualify for financial assistance programs

Side effects – If treatment causes severe side effects that are worse than the condition itself

Religious beliefs – If treatment conflicts with your sincerely held religious convictions

Medical contraindications – If your doctor advises against certain treatments due to other health conditions

Ineffectiveness – If you’ve tried the treatment and it didn’t improve your condition

If you cannot follow your treatment plan, document the reasons thoroughly. Communicate with your healthcare providers about barriers to treatment compliance, and ask them to note these discussions in your medical records. For Memphis residents facing financial barriers, explore options like:

• Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare)
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that offer sliding-scale fees
• Pharmaceutical assistance programs
• Hospital charity care programs

The SSA cannot deny your claim solely because you cannot afford treatment, but you must document your efforts to obtain financial assistance and your inability to pay for care.

Incomplete or Inaccurate Application Information

Small mistakes and omissions can lead to claim denials in Tennessee. The SSD application process is complex and requires detailed information about your medical history, work history, daily activities, and functional limitations. Common errors include:

Missing deadlines – You have only 60 days to appeal a denial. Missing this deadline means starting the entire process over

Incomplete paperwork – Leaving sections blank or providing vague answers gives the SSA insufficient information to evaluate your claim

Inconsistent information – Contradictions between your application, medical records, and other documents raise red flags

Errors in work history – Inaccurate job titles, dates, or descriptions of physical requirements can affect how the SSA evaluates your ability to work

Missing medical provider details – Incomplete contact information prevents the SSA from obtaining your medical records

The initial application requires thoroughness and attention to detail. Many Memphis residents attempt to complete the application on their own, only to receive a denial due to technical errors or insufficient information. While you can apply without legal assistance, working with an experienced Memphis SSD attorney significantly increases your chances of approval.

An attorney can help you:

• Complete the application accurately and thoroughly
• Gather all necessary medical evidence
• Obtain detailed statements from your doctors
• Avoid common mistakes that lead to denials
• Present your case in the strongest possible light

The complexity of the SSD application process makes professional assistance valuable, especially given the challenging initial approval rates nationwide.

What to Do If Your SSD Claim Is Denied in Memphis

If you receive a denial letter, don’t give up. The appeals process exists because the SSA recognizes that many initial denials are incorrect. In fact, Administrative Law Judge hearings have an approval rate of approximately 60%—significantly higher than the initial application approval rate.

The SSD appeals process has four levels:

Reconsideration – A different examiner reviews your claim and any new evidence you submit. This typically takes 3-5 months. Unfortunately, reconsideration denials occur in up to 85% of cases.

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing – You appear before a judge who reviews your case, hears testimony, and makes a decision. This is where most successful appeals occur. Hearings typically take 12-18 months to schedule.

Appeals Council Review – If the ALJ denies your claim, you can request review by the Appeals Council. The Council may deny review, send your case back to the ALJ, or make a decision itself.

Federal Court Review – As a last resort, you can file a lawsuit in federal district court challenging the SSA’s decision.

You must file your appeal within 60 days of receiving your denial letter. This deadline is strict—missing it means starting over with a new application.

Legal representation becomes increasingly important at the hearing level. Statistics show that represented claimants have significantly higher success rates than those who represent themselves. An experienced Memphis denied SSD attorney can:

• Review your denial letter and identify weaknesses in your initial application
• Gather additional medical evidence to strengthen your case
• Obtain detailed opinions from your treating physicians
• Prepare you for your hearing testimony
• Cross-examine vocational experts
• Present legal arguments to the Administrative Law Judge

At Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, we’ve helped Memphis residents with denied SSD claims for years. We understand Tennessee’s disability determination process and know how to build strong appeals. Our firm has recovered over $500 million for clients throughout our history, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

If your SSD claim was denied, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll review your denial letter, evaluate your case, and explain your options. Don’t let a denial prevent you from getting the benefits you deserve.

Need Help With a Denied SSD Claim in Memphis?

At Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, we’ve served Memphis and the surrounding areas since 1970. Our lawyers have recovered over $500 million for clients and are committed to providing compassionate, results-driven representation. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis, and are available 24 hours a day to discuss your case.

If your Social Security Disability claim was denied, don’t give up. Contact us today at (901) 526-2126 or visit our office at 219 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38103. We’ll review your denial, explain your options, and fight to get you the benefits you deserve.

Visit our testimonials page to see how we’ve helped other Memphis residents win their SSD appeals, or learn more about qualifying SSD illnesses and conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Denied SSD Claims in Memphis

Q: Can I work while waiting for my SSD claim decision in Memphis?

A: You can work while your claim is pending, but your earnings must stay below the substantial gainful activity limit. For 2025, this limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals. Earning above this amount will result in a technical denial because the SSA will conclude you’re capable of substantial gainful activity. If you need to work for financial reasons, carefully track your earnings and consider consulting with an SSD lawyer to understand how your work activity might affect your claim.

Q: Do I need a lawyer to appeal a denied SSD claim in Tennessee?

A: While you’re not required to have legal representation, hiring an experienced SSD attorney significantly increases your chances of approval. Statistics show that represented claimants have much higher success rates at Administrative Law Judge hearings compared to those who represent themselves. An attorney understands the complex regulations, knows what evidence the SSA requires, and can present your case effectively. Most SSD lawyers, including our firm, work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless you win your case.

Q: How much does it cost to hire an SSD lawyer in Memphis?

A: Most SSD attorneys, including Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront and nothing unless you win your case. If you receive an approval, the attorney’s fee is capped by federal law at 25% of your past-due benefits (back pay) or $7,200, whichever is less. The SSA withholds this fee from your back pay and pays it directly to your attorney. This fee structure makes legal representation accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.