The Social Security Administration provides an impairment manual that lists all impairments, both physical and mental, that qualify for social security benefits to an individual who meets the specified criteria. While having a particular illness or condition does not automatically mean you will receive benefits, having a well documented case outlining your condition and treatment will allow the SSA to determine if this disability makes it impossible for you to work a full time job.

Some of the most common medical conditions to be considered for Social Security Disability are:

  • Diabetes
  • Chronic Pain
  • Ruptured Disc
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Schizophrenia
  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Liver disease
  • Cancer

Click here to review the full list of qualifying disabilities directly on the SSA website.

What If My Condition is Not Listed?

Your impairment does not have to be listed to be considered a condition that should be awarded disability benefits. However, you must be able to show that you have a medically determinable impairment, and that your condition is severe enough to limit your ability to work. This is when documentation is the most important. Being able to show that you are dealing with a medical condition that is ongoing, that you are seeking regular treatment, and that you trying to get better will help with your case to the SSA. They will measure your remaining abilities, also known as your residual functional capacity or RFC, to see if you can do your prior job. If not, a medical-vocational analysis will be performed to determine if there is other work you can learn to do.

What Medical Evidence Do I Need?

Medical evidence is the primary piece of information required to be able to determine your SSD eligibility. You are required to provide medical evidence showing the impairment as well as the severity of the impairment.
Medical evidence that you need to present to the SSA to prove your disability case include:

  • Physician visits and examinations
  • Notes about Treatment
  • MRI
  • CAT scan
  • X-rays
  • Mental health records
  • Blood work

The medical documentation required must be recent and from the time period in which you became disabled. These pieces of information will be used to determine if your condition is severe enough to keep you from working.

Important Factors to Highlight

In order to develop a fully encompassing case to prove that your condition is eligible for benefits, the SSA will investigate all avenues presented that relate to the claim. Some other things taken into consideration when determining one’s ability to work include:

  • Daily activities
  • Location, duration, frequency, and intensity of the pain or other symptom
  • Precipitating and aggravating factors
  • The type, dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of medications prescribed
  • Other treatments for relief of pain or other symptoms
  • Any discontinued measures used to relieve pain or other symptoms
  • Other factors concerning functional limitations

Determining whether your medical condition qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits can be confusing. At Seff & Capizzi Law Group, we regularly assist clients with their SSD cases and provide valuable information for those who are interested in filing appeals from their initial denial. We are happy to assist clients in filing their reconsideration claims after the Social Security Administration issues their initial denial. If you are looking to file your initial SSD case claim, you can download our guide here and file your application online here.

If you need assistance with your SSD reconsideration case, please call us at (954) 920-9220. We have over 40 years of experience and offer a free consultation. We do not charge an up-front fee for social security legal representation. Click here for more information about social security disability and how Seff & Capizzi can help.