Brain Injury and Neurological Disorders

The disability evaluation is one of the most daunting tasks faced by evaluating physicians. Most physicians do not receive training in this specific task. Converting medical language into vocational and legal language is difficult to grasp both conceptually and on a technical basis. The process is fraught with conflicting interests within the physician whose role is to

treat the patient towards recovery and at the same time advocating the patient. Family pressures can also be conflicting; some wants the patient to go back to work, while others believing that the patient should not. While the evaluating physician has a responsibility to the patient, he or she also has the responsibility to society. Treatment itself carries risks of harm as well. Finally,

policies that govern disability can change from year to year. Therefore, addressing this issue conceptually rather than from a purely technical standpoint likely has greater benefit.