How do continuing disability reviews (CDRs) differ for mental vs physical conditions?

1. One legal test, two clinical worlds

The CDR’s legal backbone is identical for mental and physical conditions: SSA applies the Medical Improvement Review Standard and compares present functioning to the comparison point date (CPD) from the most recent favorable decision ^[1]. Available sources emphasize that the procedural framework — how SSA determines medical improvement and evaluates residual functional capacity — is shared across impairment types ^[5]. Not found in current reporting: any source provided here says SSA uses a different legal standard for mental versus physical conditions.

2. Frequency hinges on prognosis, not diagnosis

How often a beneficiary gets reviewed depends on the anticipated course of the condition, not the label “mental” or “physical.” SSA and legal guides use three buckets: Medical Improvement Expected (CDR every 6–18 months), Medical Improvement Possible (about every 3 years), and Medical Improvement Not Expected (every 5–7 years) ^{[3] [2] [4]}. Multiple sources note mental health claims are increasingly flagged as an area of focus, but they still use the same frequency framework tied to likelihood of improvement ^{[3] [6]}.

3. Evidence differs in nature and source

Although the standard is the same, the evidence SSA relies on differs: physical conditions often produce objective test results or imaging, while mental disorders rely more on clinical notes, symptom ratings, functional reports and longitudinal psychiatric records ^{[5] [7]}. Disability guides stress keeping regular medical contacts and detailed records for both kinds of impairments; for mental disorders, symptom journals, ongoing therapy notes, and third-party statements frequently play a larger role ^{[7] [6]}.

4. Burden of proof stays with SSA to show improvement

SSA must demonstrate significant medical improvement before discontinuing benefits; this affirmative burden applies equally to mental and physical claims during CDRs ^[2]. Legal summaries and CDR guides underscore that, absent clear improvement, benefits should continue — but they also warn beneficiaries that SSA can and does discontinue benefits when records indicate improved functioning or return to substantial gainful activity ^{[2] [1]}.

5. Practical differences in evaluation and triggers

Practical differences arise in what triggers a CDR and how improvement appears: a documented recovery from a physical injury (for example, post-surgical improvement) may provide clear objective markers, while mental health changes can be episodic, harder to quantify, and sometimes prompt more focused scrutiny because mental health can fluctuate and may be considered “treatable” ^{[3] [6]}. Several legal sources note SSA is paying more attention to mental health conditions and may require comprehensive documentation of functional limitations ^{[3] [6]}.

6. Records, treatment adherence and third-party information matter

All sources emphasize that up-to-date medical records and adherence to treatment plans are central to surviving a CDR. For mental disorders, documentation of therapy, medication changes, and daily functioning logs are especially important; for physical impairments, objective testing and treating-provider restrictions carry weight ^{[4] [7] [6]}. SOARWorks and advocacy materials remind beneficiaries that SSA may request Form SSA‑455 and that summary reports should cover recent medical history ^{[8] [1]}.

7. Where experts disagree or add nuance

Some advocacy and law-firm guides assert the SSA “treats mental and physical conditions equally” in CDRs, meaning the criteria are the same in theory ^[6]. Other sources and practical guides highlight that in practice the evidence types and SSA focus differ — especially as mental conditions can be more subjective and variable — creating different practical hurdles for claimants ^{[3] [7]}. Readers should note those two perspectives come from provider and advocate interpretations of the same procedural rules ^{[6] [3]}.

8. What claimants should do now

Prepare the same core proof regardless of diagnosis: keep regular, dated treatment records; document daily functional limits; answer CDR forms promptly; and obtain treating-provider statements about work limitations ^{[4] [7]}. For mental health claims, add symptom logs and therapy/medication histories; for physical claims, secure recent objective testing and functional assessments ^{[6] [7]}.

Limitations: this analysis relies on advocacy, law‑firm and SSA‑summary sources supplied; primary SSA regulation texts and recent internal SSA policy memos were not provided here, and available sources do not mention any specific internal procedural differences beyond those cited ^{[1] [3]}.