If you have a medical condition that impacts your day to day life, you may want to file a disability claim. The Social Security Administration’s Listing of Medical Impairments is a guide containing medical conditions that, given certain conditions are met, automatically qualify you for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
For those that have a medical condition on the list, they’re typically considered disabled and should be able to receive benefits. The process is fairly straightforward, provided your condition qualifies and you are able to provide sufficient proof of disability.
List of Impairments
The conditions that will put you into the disabled category vary based on your age. There are separate lists for those under 18 and over 18. The list of medical conditions for adults to qualify for SSI or SSDI include:
- Mental Disorders: Autism, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, intellectual disability
- Musculoskeletal Problems: Back conditions and other issues with the bones and joints
- Blood Disorders: Hemophilia, sickle cell, etc.
- Digestive Tract Issues: Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, etc.
- Cardiovascular Conditions: Coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, etc.
- Respiratory Illnesses: Asthma, cystic fibrosis, etc.
- Neurological Disorders: Cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis, etc.
- Immune System Disorders: Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV & AIDS, chronic kidney disease
- Sense & Speech Issues: Loss of speech, loss of hearing, blindness, etc.
What If Your Condition Isn’t Listed?
The possibilities for disabilities are so varied, it would be almost impossible to list all of the potential conditions. Even if you have a serious medical condition that prevents you from obtaining any gainful employment, you may still be able to make a successful SSDI or SSI claim.
The first requirement for possible consideration is that the condition must be medically determinable. This simply means that you need to have a real condition that has been established in the medical community via laboratory or clinical testing.
The next condition is that the medical issue must limit or reduce your residual functional capacity. Your residual functional capacity can be calculated by evaluating your most demanding or exerting activity that can still be accomplished despite your medical impairment.
A disability claims examiner will use your residual functional capacity to decide your exertional level. Your exertional level will range from “sedentary work” to “very heavy work” based on how much weight is able to be lifted and carried safely.
Medical Evidence Needed
In order to gain approval for medical Social Security disability, you’ll need to be able to show some proof of the severity of your condition. Medical evidence can include:
- Blood work panels
- CAT scans
- Mental health records
- MRA
- Physician examination
- Treatment notes and reports
For your medical evidence to be considered valid, it needs to be within the timeframe that the disability occurred. Additionally, you need to be able to prove that your health is poor enough to impact your ability to perform normal work duties.
If you need help with your case, speak with an experienced SSDI attorney near you.