When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, the Social Security Administration doesn’t just take your word for it. They want proof.
That proof usually comes in the form of medical evidence, but not all evidence is weighed the same.
For people in Harrison, Arkansas and across the Ozarks applying for disability, it’s important to understand the difference between objective evidence and subjective evidence, and how each plays a role in your case.
As a disability law firm in Harrison Arkansas, we help hardworking Arkansans fight for benefits after injuries, chronic illnesses, or conditions that prevent them from working.
One of the most common issues we see is that our clients don’t know what type of evidence will be the most persuasive to a Social Security judge. Let’s break this down.
What Is Objective Evidence?
Objective evidence is medical proof that can be documented, measured, or captured by tests, images, or lab results. Think of it as evidence that exists outside of your personal description of your symptoms.
Examples include:
- MRI, CT, or X-ray results showing herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or joint damage.
- Ultrasounds documenting blood clots (deep vein thrombosis).
- Pulmonary function tests measuring reduced lung capacity.
- Blood tests confirming diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or other measurable conditions.
When objective evidence lines up with the symptoms you report, it makes your case much stronger.
For example, if you have an MRI that shows a herniated disc and you describe severe lower back pain radiating into your legs, that consistency gives the judge a reason to believe your disability claim is valid.
In these cases, your medical records and your testimony support each other.
Judges tend to give a lot of weight to this kind of evidence because it’s not based solely on what you say—it’s backed up by science and diagnostic testing.
The Challenges of Subjective Evidence
On the other hand, subjective evidence is based on your personal experience of symptoms—things that cannot always be confirmed by medical testing.
Conditions that often rely on subjective evidence include:
- Fibromyalgia (widespread chronic pain without clear imaging results)
- Migraines (symptoms reported by the patient, not easily shown on scans)
- Vertigo or vestibular disorders (feelings of dizziness and imbalance without a definitive test)
- Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD
In these cases, there is no universally accepted medical test to prove how severe your symptoms really are.
A judge may question whether your reported limitations match up with your medical records.
This doesn’t mean you can’t win a Social Security Disability case in Harrison if you suffer from one of these conditions—but it does mean you need to be strategic.
Why Consistency Matters in Harrison Social Security Disability Claims
If you live in Boone County or the surrounding areas and you’re applying for disability benefits, consistency is one of the most important things you can demonstrate.
For example:
- Regular doctor visits: If you complain of migraines but only see a doctor once or twice a year, a judge may doubt the severity of your condition.
- Following medical advice: Taking prescribed medication, attending therapy sessions, or following treatment recommendations shows you are making a good-faith effort.
- Documenting symptoms: Keeping a pain diary or journal of migraine episodes helps create a record over time.
Consistency not only strengthens your case—it also shows the Social Security Administration that you are credible.
Strategies to Strengthen Subjective Evidence
If your Social Security Disability Claim depends heavily on subjective evidence, there are ways to make it stronger.
Here are strategies we often recommend to our Arkansas clients:
Keep a Symptom Diary
Document your symptoms daily or weekly. Note when the pain started, how long it lasted, what triggered it, and what you did to manage it.
For example, a migraine diary might show you consistently experienced severe headaches three to four times per week for over a year.
Share Documentation With Your Doctor
Bring your diary or symptom log to your medical appointments. If your doctor includes these records in your official chart, they become part of the medical evidence submitted to Social Security.
Be Compliant With Treatment
If your doctor prescribes therapy, medication, or other treatment, follow through with it. Judges often look at whether you made an effort to get better.
If you skip treatments or stop taking medications, it can weaken your claim.
Use Third-Party Statements
Sometimes, having a coworker, former supervisor, or even a neighbor describe what they’ve seen can help.
For example, a supervisor could explain how often you missed work due to pain, or a friend could confirm that your migraines force you to stay in a dark room multiple times a week.
Combine Objective and Subjective Evidence
Many people in Harrison and North Arkansas have both measurable medical conditions and subjective symptoms. For example, you may have spinal stenosis (objective) along with depression and chronic fatigue (subjective).
In this case, your attorney can present the objective conditions first to establish credibility, then use the subjective conditions to show how much worse your overall limitations are.
Why Objective Evidence Carries More Weight
At the end of the day, Social Security judges prefer objective evidence because it’s concrete. An X-ray doesn’t lie, and a lab test can’t exaggerate.
That’s why, whenever possible, your disability lawyer will focus on the objective medical problems first.
However, this doesn’t mean subjective evidence is worthless. With careful documentation, consistent treatment, and the help of third-party observations, subjective conditions can still play an important role in proving that you can’t work.
How a Harrison, Arkansas Disability Lawyer Can Help
Navigating the Social Security Disability process in Harrison, Boone County, and across the Ozarks can be overwhelming.
The Social Security Administration has strict rules about what evidence they consider persuasive, and many first-time applications are denied.
An experienced Arkansas disability attorney can:
- Review your medical records to see where objective evidence supports your case.
- Help you gather additional testing or evaluations if needed.
- Work with your doctors to ensure consistent and thorough medical documentation.
- Guide you in keeping diaries or journals that strengthen subjective claims.
- Present your case in the most compelling way possible before a Social Security judge.
Having a lawyer who understands how judges evaluate evidence can make the difference between an approval and a denial.
Final Thoughts
If you’re struggling to work because of chronic pain, illness, or mental health issues, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration will give more weight to objective evidence, but that doesn’t mean conditions without clear testing are hopeless. With the right documentation and representation, you can build a strong case.
As a Harrison disability law firm, we’ve helped many clients in Boone County and surrounding Arkansas communities fight for the benefits they deserve.
Don’t try to face the system alone—get help from someone who knows how to make your medical evidence work for you.
If you live in Harrison, Arkansas or the surrounding areas, and you’ve been denied disability benefits or are considering applying, contact our office today for a free consultation.
We’ll review your medical records, explain how objective and subjective evidence could affect your case, and guide you through the appeals process.
Need Help with Your Arkansas Social Security Disability Claim?
At The Krebs Law Firm, we specialize in Social Security Disability law and are dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of the application process. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
At The Krebs Law Firm, we fight as hard as we can to help you get the disability coverage you deserve. Call today for a free consultation at (870) 741-8100 or toll free at (800) 345-0535.
It can be daunting learning the ins and outs of Social Security Disability benefits, but it’s not a task you need to take on alone. Call on an Arkansas Disability Attorney from The Krebs Law Firm to help you every step of the way.
We offer a free book on Social Security Disability benefits to Arkansas residents. Give us a call at (870) 741-8100. We have an office in Harrison, Arkansas just a couple of doors down from the Harrison Social Security Office.
Jason Krebs is licensed in both Arkansas and Missouri. Our main office is in Springfield Missouri. Our Harrison Arkansas office is by appointment only. The address is 125 Industrial Park Road Suite E1 Harrison Arkansas 72601. Our local phone number in Harrison is (870) 741-8100. Our Toll Free phone number is (800) 345-0535. You can also send us an email to contact@KrebsLawOffice.com.