The remarks section is where you tell the judge why you disagree with the denial

The remarks section of your SSDI appeal is a text box on your appeal form where you explain in your own words why you believe the initial decision was wrong. It is not a place to repeat what is already in your medical records or to list your conditions. It is your chance to tell the judge what the Social Security Administration (SSA) missed, misunderstood, or got wrong about your ability to work.

Many people leave this section blank or write only a sentence or two. That is a mistake. The judge reads this section. What you write here can be the difference between a denial and an approval, because it shows the judge what matters most to you and where you think the SSA made an error.

You have room to write—usually 4,000 characters or more, depending on which form you use. Use it. But use it strategically, not by repeating medical jargon or listing every symptom you have.

Key Takeaways

  • The remarks section should explain why the SSA's reasons for denial do not match your actual medical condition or work history, not repeat your diagnosis.
  • Focus on how your conditions affect your ability to do work tasks—sitting, standing, concentrating, remembering instructions, or handling stress—rather than naming the conditions themselves.
  • If the SSA said a doctor's opinion did not support disability, explain why you believe that opinion was incomplete or based on a single office visit.
  • Include specific examples from your daily life that show why you cannot work, such as how pain or fatigue affects you on a typical day.
  • Do not argue about the law or cite cases; instead, focus on the facts of your case and what the judge should know that the file may not show clearly.

Start by identifying what the SSA got wrong

Read the denial letter carefully. The SSA will have given a reason for the denial. Common reasons include: "Your conditions are not severe enough," "You can still do your past work," "You can do other work that exists in the national economy," or "The medical evidence does not support your claim."

Your remarks should directly address the reason given. If the SSA said your condition is not severe enough, explain why it is. If they said you can do your past work, explain why you cannot. Do not write a general essay about your suffering. Write about the specific thing the SSA got wrong.

For example, if the denial says "The claimant has mild arthritis and can perform sedentary work," your remarks might say: "The SSA's decision does not account for the fact that my arthritis affects both hands. I cannot grip, pinch, or hold objects for more than a few minutes. My doctor's notes from [date] show I have limited range of motion in both shoulders. Sedentary work still requires fine motor control, which I do not have."

Explain how your conditions affect work tasks, not just your diagnosis

The SSA and the judge do not need you to name your conditions again. They already know you have depression, or fibromyalgia, or a back injury. What they need to understand is what those conditions prevent you from doing.

Work requires specific tasks: sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, grasping, concentrating, remembering instructions, following a schedule, getting along with coworkers, handling stress, and responding to changes. Write about which of these tasks your conditions make impossible or severely limit.

Instead of: "I have severe depression and anxiety," write: "My depression and anxiety mean I cannot be around other people for more than a few hours without becoming overwhelmed. I have panic attacks without warning. I cannot work in an office or retail setting where I have to interact with customers or coworkers all day. Even working from home, I lose focus and cannot concentrate on tasks for more than 20 or 30 minutes at a time."

This tells the judge not just that you have a diagnosis, but why that diagnosis makes work impossible.

Address the medical evidence the SSA relied on

The SSA's denial will mention specific medical evidence—usually a doctor's report, a consultative examination, or a state agency doctor's opinion. If you disagree with that evidence, say so in the remarks section.

Common problems with SSA medical evidence include: the doctor saw you only once for 30 minutes; the doctor did not ask about your work history; the doctor's report does not match what you told them; or the report ignores your treating doctor's notes. Point these out.

For example: "The SSA relied on a consultative examination from Dr. [name] on [date]. That doctor saw me for 30 minutes and did not ask about my work history or how my condition affects me on a daily basis. My treating physician, Dr. [name], has seen me monthly for [number] years and has documented in his notes from [date] that I cannot work due to [specific limitation]. Dr. [name]'s opinion is based on ongoing treatment, not a single visit, and should carry more weight."

If you have new medical evidence that was not in the file when the SSA made the decision, mention it in the remarks section. Tell the judge that new records are attached and why they are important.

Use specific examples from your daily life

Judges respond to concrete details. Instead of saying "I am in pain all the time," describe what that pain prevents you from doing on a typical day.

Write something like: "On a typical day, I wake up and it takes me 30 minutes to get out of bed because my back pain is worst in the morning. I can stand for about 10 minutes before I need to sit down. I have tried to do light housework—washing dishes or folding laundry—but after 15 or 20 minutes, the pain becomes unbearable and I have to lie down for the rest of the day. I have not been able to work since [year] because I cannot maintain a schedule or be reliable."

These details matter because they show the judge that your limitations are real and consistent, not something you exaggerate in an office visit.

Explain why you cannot do work the SSA says is available

If the SSA's denial says you can do "sedentary work" or "light work" or names a specific job you used to do, address that directly in the remarks section.

The SSA often relies on a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment—a document that lists what the SSA thinks you can still do. If you disagree with the RFC, explain why. For example: "The RFC says I can sit for 6 hours a day and perform fine motor tasks. That is not accurate. My arthritis makes it impossible to grip a pen or use a keyboard for more than 10 or 15 minutes. I cannot sit for more than 30 minutes without severe pain in my lower back. No job that requires typing, writing, or sitting all day is realistic for me."

If the SSA says you can do your past work, explain why you cannot. Be specific about what your past job required and why your current conditions prevent you from doing it.

Keep the tone factual and avoid common mistakes

Do not use the remarks section to argue about the law, cite court cases, or accuse the SSA of bias or negligence. Judges do not respond well to anger or accusations. They respond to facts.

Do not repeat information that is already clearly in your medical records. The judge has your file. Do not waste space saying things the records already show.

Do not make claims you cannot back up. If you say you cannot lift more than 5 pounds, make sure your doctor has documented that. If you say you have not worked since 2019, make sure that is true.

Do not write a long narrative about your life story. Stay focused on why you cannot work and why the SSA's decision was wrong. The judge has limited time and will skim if the remarks are too long.

Do write clearly and in plain language. You do not need medical jargon. You do not need to sound formal. Write the way you would explain your situation to a friend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I mention things that are not in my medical records?

Only if you can explain why they are not documented. For example: "I have not told my doctor about my difficulty concentrating because I thought it was just stress, but it has gotten worse and I plan to mention it at my next appointment." If something important is missing from your records, the remarks section is the place to flag it and ask the judge to consider it.

What if I do not have a lot of medical evidence?

Use the remarks section to explain why. For example: "I have not seen a doctor regularly because I cannot afford it, but I have been unable to work since [date] because [specific reason]." Then focus on describing your daily limitations in detail. Judges understand that not everyone has extensive medical records.

Can I write about my mental health even if my claim is for a physical condition?

Yes. If your physical condition causes depression, anxiety, or other mental health effects that affect your ability to work, mention it. For example: "My chronic pain has caused depression and anxiety. I have difficulty leaving my home and cannot handle the stress of a work environment." The combination of conditions matters.

Should I mention my age or how long I have been unable to work?

Yes, if it is relevant. If you are close to retirement age, or if you have been unable to work for many years, mention it. For example: "I am 58 years old and have not worked since 2018. At my age, retraining for a new job is not realistic." Age and work history can matter in the judge's decision.

What if I disagree with my own doctor's opinion?

You can mention it, but be careful. If your treating doctor said you can work and you disagree, explain why you think their opinion is incomplete. For example: "My doctor said I could do light work, but that was based on a 10-minute office visit. In reality, I cannot maintain a schedule or be reliable because my symptoms fluctuate unpredictably." Do not straightforward contradict your doctor; explain the gap between what they observed and what you experience.