There are a variety of common conditions that wreak havoc in people’s lives and cause them to apply for Social Security Disability benefits because they can no longer work to support themselves or their families. However, applying for Social Security Disability and figuring out if you qualify can be complex and difficult to determine on your own.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a Blue Book Listing of Impairments that spells out specific physical and mental conditions that a person may receive disability benefits for. Disability is defined as the inability to perform substantial gainful activity due to an impairment that is anticipated to last longer than a year.
The most common types of conditions that are most often approved by the SSA fall into 10 categories:
- Musculoskeletal – Impacting the spine, soft tissue or amputations
- Tumors and Cancer – Lymphoma, leukemia and soft tissue tumors
- Respiratory – Sleep apnea, cystic fibrosis, asthma, bronchiectasis and emphysema
- Cardiovascular – Congestive heart failure, hypertension, arrhythmias, people in need of heart transplants and arterial disease
- Mental and Behavioral – Depression, substance abuse, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism and personality disorders
- Digestive – Inflammatory bowel disease, liver transplants and chronic liver disease
- Hematological – Myelofibrosis, sickle cell disease, chronic anemia and coagulation
- Poorly Defined Conditions – Chronic fatigue and migraines
- Endocrine – Thyroid disorders like Hashimoto’s and pituitary gland problems
- Poisonings, Accidents and Injuries – Accidental or non-preventative injuries
There are additional classifications that may qualify a person to receive disability benefits and the criterion is clarified in the SSA’s Blue Book. Sometimes, a combination of multiple conditions allows an applicant to be eligible for disability.
If you need help applying or figuring out if you are eligible, contact the team of experienced Social Security Disability attorneys at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy. Contact us today for a free legal consultation to see how we can assist you with your appeal or first time application.