Which Medical Diagnoses Are Eligible for SSDI?

Adults with disabilities who meet certain requirements may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, which are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Often, when a person is diagnosed with a medical condition that will prevent them from working, or injured in an accident that will make working difficult or impossible, they begin thinking about the possibility of SSDI benefits or other types of disability benefits. While many people assume that there are certain types of illnesses or medical diagnoses that qualify a person for SSDI payments, the reality is more complicated than that.

To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must meet the medical requirement and the work history requirement. As far as the medical requirement goes, while the SSA does provide a lengthy list of impairments that can qualify a person for SSDI, having the impairment alone is not usually enough. Instead, the medical condition or impairment must have a particular impact on the individual and must have a specific duration. Our national SSDI lawyers can explain in more detail.

Medical Conditions Listed in the SSA Blue Book 

The SSA has a “Blue Book” that provides a listing of impairments for which a person may be eligible for SSDI (or SSI) benefits. The Blue Book is extensive, and it has 14 separate sections that include medical conditions and impairments that fall into the following categories:

• Musculoskeletal disorders;
• Special senses and speech;
• Respiratory disorders;
• Cardiovascular system;
• Digestive disorders;
• Genitourinary disorders;
• Hematological disorders;
• Skin disorders;
• Endocrine disorders;
• Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems;
• Neurological disorders;
• Mental disorders;
• Cancer; and
• Immune system disorders.

Details of Condition Rather Than the Condition Itself Will Determine SSDI Eligibility 

Within each of the sections listed above, there are a wide range of particular disorders or conditions or diagnoses that fit the classification. However, simply being diagnosed with one of the named conditions or impairments does not always mean that you will qualify for SSDI benefits. You will need to experience the condition or impairment in such a way that it meets the definition of a disability used by the SSA to approve benefits.

The Blue Book is not intended as a document that lists disorders in order to indicate that the impairment or condition itself qualifies a person for SSDI benefits. Rather, in order to qualify with one of the conditions listed in these sections, you must also have certain symptoms or consequences of the disorder or condition that prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity. In addition, as you are experiencing the condition, your health care provider must expect that it will last for at least 12 months or result in death.

Contact a National Disability Benefits Attorney Today 

If you have any questions or concerns about meeting the medical or disability requirement for SSDI benefits, or if you need assistance with any aspect of your SSDI application or appeal, one of the experienced national SSDI benefits lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz can assist you. Contact us today to get to work on your SSDI case.

Source:

ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm