What Medical Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability?

What Medical Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability?

Social Security Disability Conditions

Our North Carolina disability lawyers are often asked, “what are the Social Security disability conditions that may qualify me for benefits?”

There are many qualifying Social Security disability conditions that may entitle you to benefits. However, the criteria is often very strict, and the outcome of a disability application or appeal will depend on the unique facts and circumstances of the specific claim.

Meeting the Listing for a Social Security Disability Condition

A person who can no longer work because of one or more illnesses or other disabling conditions can win his or her case by showing that he or she meets the specific requirements of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) “Listings” of impairments. This is not the ONLY way to prove disability, however — the alternate way of doing so is described in our article on “Residual Functional Capacity.” But the simplest way of winning your case is to show that you “meet a Listing” for one of the Social Security disability conditions recognized by the SSA.

Two important things to know about the Listings:

1. If you meet a Listing and are otherwise eligible for benefits (you paid into the system or you meet the poverty guidelines, AND you are not working more than a minimal amount), you AUTOMATICALLY win your case… however:
2. The Listings are extremely stringent and specific and you must fulfill all of the requirements in order to meet them.

Qualifying Conditions for Social Security Disability

The SSA uses separate Listings of common Social Security disability conditions for adults versus children, because the criteria for meeting a Listing are somewhat different for those two groups. However, the overriding theory is the same: if you meet a Listing and are otherwise eligible, you win your case.

Adult SSD Listings

The Adult Listings for qualifying SSD conditions are broken down into the following categories:

1. Musculoskeletal System
2. Special Senses and Speech
3. Respiratory Disorders
4. Cardiovascular System
5. Digestive System
6. Genitourinary Disorders
7. Hematological Disorders
8. Skin Disorders
9. Endocrine Disorders
10. Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Bod Systems
11. Neurological Disorders
12. Mental Disorders
13. Cancer and other Malignant Neoplastic Diseases
14. Immune System Disorders

Each category is further divided into specific diseases and conditions along with the criteria required to meet each, with a LOT of specificity. Gathering and submitting the medical records needed to meet that level of specificity is part of what an experienced Social Security disability attorney can do for you.

Child SSD Listings

The Childhood Listings are similar but not identical to those for Adults.  The specific criteria are a little different because they only apply to disability for children.

The Child Listings for qualifying disability conditions are broken down into the following categories:

1. Low Birth Weight and Failure to Thrive (for infants)
2. Musculoskeletal System
3. Special Senses and Speech
4. Respiratory Disorders
5. Cardiovascular System
6. Digestive System
7. Genitourinary Disorders
8. Hematological Disorders
9. Skin Disorders
10. Endocrine Disorders
11. Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems
12. Neurological Disorders
13. Mental Disorders
14. Cancer and other Malignant Neoplastic Diseases
15. Immune System Disorders

The Social Security Disability “Blue Book”

When you first apply for disability benefits, an examiner at the state agency called “Disability Determination Services” or “DDS” is supposed to review your medical records to see if you meet any of the Listings outlined in the SSA’s “Blue Book.” The Blue Book is just a common term referring to the SSA disability listings.

However, these “Disability Examiners” sometimes make mistakes in that evaluation.  A Board Certified Specialist in Disability Law can review your case and evaluate whether you really do meet a Listing even if your Disability Examiner found that you did not. And if you have to take your case all the way to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, that Specialist will help you present the case to the judge that you meet the Listing.

Need a Disability Lawyer in North Carolina?

Riddle & Brantley is ready to help with disability applications and Social Security disability appeals.

For a FREE consultation with a Riddle & Brantley NC disability lawyer, please call 1-800-525-7111.

There is no obligation and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we successfully get you the Social Security disability benefits you need and deserve.

Call 1-800-525-7111 today for a free consultation.

You may meet a Listing for a qualifying Social Security disability condition and be entitled to benefits, and we would love to help you if we can.

In cases involving disabilities suffered as a result of workplace injuries, our workers' compensation lawyers are also ready to help with claims and appeals.

Please call 1-800-525-7111 today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.

Justice Counts for North Carolinians with disabilities and we are ready to help however we can.