What Conditions Automatically Qualify You as Disabled?
Getting injured, whether at home or at work, can be a frustrating ordeal. As we’ve documented over the past few years, there is a very specific process to claiming Social Security Disability, and making sure the SSA actually approves your claim. Hundreds of thousands of claims are denied each year, primarily because the person doesn’t meet the minimum requirements for injuries that result in compensation.
If you’re currently investigating and researching Social Security Disability compensation, it’s best to educate and arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. And, one of those tools is the “Listing of Medical Impairments” that is maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This list, also known as the Blue Book, details conditions that automatically designate you as ‘disabled’, and qualify you for social security benefits.
Generally, the SSA’s list of impairments is broken down by bodily components. It’s important to keep in mind that the SSA keeps separate lists for adults and children under the age of 18. However, the list is pretty much the same, except for growth impairment in children.
Medical Conditions that Automatically Qualify for SSDI
For adults, medical conditions that automatically qualify you for social security disability compensation include:
- Musculoskeletal problems—such as back conditions and other dysfunctions of the joints and bones
- Senses and speech issues—such as vision and hearing loss
- Respiratory illnesses—such as asthma and cystic fibrosis
- Cardiovascular conditions—such as chronic heart failure or coronary artery disease
- Digestive tract problems—such as liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Neurological disorders—such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy
- Blood disorders—such as sickle cell disease or hemophilia
- Mental disorders—such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism, or intellectual disability
- Immune system disorders—such as HIV/AIDS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney disease
Specifically, within some of these categories, conditions that are most common and may qualify you for social security disability benefits automatically include:
Musculoskeletal Issues
- Arthritis affecting various parts of the body
- Severe pain, including back pain
- Fibromyalgia which may affect the entire body
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
Cardiovascular Issues
- Hypertension and severe headaches
- Heart disease
- Angina
Cancer
- Various forms of cancer that are moderate to severely limiting
Mental Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- PTSD for veterans and others experiencing trauma
- Autism and Aspergers in some cases
- Severe diagnosed depression
- Diagnosed mood disorders
Issues Involving the Senses
- Monderate to complete blindness
- Sciatica nerve issues that are limiting
- Parkinson’s Disease that has become severly limiting
- Hearing loss or deafness that greatly affects ability to work
- Pain related to the face and nerves such as neuralgia
What if your Medical Condition is Not on the List, Though?
Luckily, the SSA has ruled in favor of individuals without these specific conditions previously. This has set precedent for individuals with varying injuries and disabilities to still qualify for compensation. However, you cannot make claims without medical proof of your condition. That includes medical documentation, from SSA-approved doctors. The medical evidence required typically includes:
- Physician examination
- Treatment notes or reports
- MRI
- CAT scan
- X-rays
- Mental health records
- Blood work panels
How Do I Prove that I Automatically Qualify for Disability Benefits?
While there are certain benefits that may qualify you for disability benefits automatically, the Social Security Administration doesn’t just rubber-stamp the approval. The SSA requires you to provide extensive medical records that show that your condition will qualify you. Even so, the insurance company could still make the argument that you are ineligible for benefits. The adjuster may look at selective medical records in an attempt to show that you should not be eligible for benefits. This could mean that you are initially denied, but need to prove your condition and need for benefits through an appeals process.
However, it is possible to get approved for disability if it is decided that your condition is limiting enough to keep you from working. This is where finding the right specialist that understands your full condition can be critical. A benefits attorney can help with this process.
In addition, even when you are approved, you may need to provide regular updates to the insurance company and Social Security Administration. Depending on your condition and what you were approved for, there is monitoring to see if you are able to improve to the point of being able to rejoin the workforce.
Having an attorney on your side, even if you have one of the conditions that automatically qualify for benefits, gives you the best shot at ultimately being approved. Since the insurance company’s actions can be unpredictable when receiving your case, you will want to make sure that you give yourself the best chance of winning the first time, and during an appeal. Your Milwaukee-based, national social security disability attorney can help you.
Do you qualify for SSDI Benefits?
Determining whether your medical condition qualifies for Social Security-related benefits can be frustrating. If you have questions about the eligibility of your condition, or if you’ve been denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), make sure you explore your legal options. Contact Tabak Law with any questions to help you through this process. You can reach us anytime, 24 hours a day, at 844-432-0114.