Medical Conditions Covered Under Social Security Disability Benefits – An Overview for Attorneys!

It's imperative for attorneys to know the medical requirements that make individuals eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits when dealing with SSD cases. There are various legal cases where attorneys must deal with medical eligibility criteria for SSD benefits.

We will discuss in detail the list of medical conditions that are eligible to be covered under Social Security Disability Benefits, classification of the most common illnesses and disorders included in the SSD benefits package, and recommendations on the best practices to use when submitting Social Security Disability Medical Evidence to bolster your claim.

First let us discuss what medical criteria a person needs to satisfy to be able to get disability benefits and the process of disability assessment.

Understanding SSD Benefits and Medical Conditions for Disability

Social Security Disability Benefit’s main aim is to assist everyone out there who cannot work because of the physical or mental health condition. But to be able to receive this assistance through SSD you need to be eligible through certain standards, which includes having a medical condition and proving the fact that it would be hard for the applicant to work with such a disability.

What Medical Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?

According to the Social Security Administration, there are numerous medical conditions for disability that qualify for SSD benefits. Among them, two stand out:

1. Physical Disabilities – Physical impairments which are persistent in being ailments which limit movement, power, and endurance.
2. Mental Health Conditions – Psychosocial Disorders which inhibit a person’s capacity to perform work.

Some common medical conditions covered under SSD benefits include:

• Cancer in one or multiple sites, with the severity varying.
• Heart diseases associated with blood vessels like coronary artery disease or blood pumping issues like heart failure.
• Diabetes with issues like nerve damage Also called Type 1
• Lung diseases such as COPD and emphysema.
• Pain which is categorized under chronic pain disorders.
• Psycho-socio disorders which include but are not limited to anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Neurological conditions like Epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis

Attorneys should be familiar with these medical conditions and ensure that their clients meet the necessary criteria to qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits.

The Disability Evaluation Process for SSD Benefits

The disability evaluation process plays a pivotal role in determining whether an individual qualifies for SSD benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step process to evaluate claims:

1. Work Activity Evaluation

The SSA first considers whether the applicant is performing substantial gainful activity (SGA). If the person is employed and earning above a certain amount, they are considered to not be qualified for SSD benefits.

2. Severity of the Condition

The next treatment that the SSA conducts is whether the medical condition that the applicant suffers from is sufficient to limit the basic work activities. If the impairment does not affect the person reasonably in their earnings potential, then the claim stands denied.

3. Listed Conditions

There are certain conditions mentioned in the Blue Book of the SSA that are eligible for consideration. If the severity of the sickness of the applicant is equal or greater than the specified conditions, then the applicant qualifies for the benefits automatically.

4. Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

For those who do not meet the SSA’s listings but wish to appeal, a determination of their residual functional capacity is made. This essentially determines all the work-related activities that the said applicant is still capable of, despite the disability.

5. Past Work and Other Work Evaluation

SSA takes into consideration whether the applicant can do any jobs that they have previously done or whether they are able to do other jobs that fit within the amalgam of the functional limitations that the person still possesses.

For attorneys, the disability evaluation process has multiple steps which are important in relation to the clients with regards to complex claims.

SSD Benefits Criteria for Attorneys: Best Practices for Filing Claims

In Social Security Disability cases, attorneys are required to provide all evidence needed such as medical evidence in the right format. Best practices while filing SSD claims include:

1. Comprehensive Medical Documentation: Kindly do ensure that all the medical records have been properly filed and are current regarding the details of the condition or injury. This includes documentation of the medical reports, tests done, previous treatments received and any other relevant information from doctors, physicians and nurses.
2. Understanding SSD Benefits Criteria: As the SSA has its own set criterion to allot the SSD benefits, it is essential that the attorneys know it. For instance, proving that the condition is such that it is on the SSA’s list of impairments or showing how the condition limits that individual’s functioning capacity.
3. Timely Filing: Any benefits can best be received urgently, and to do so, the application must be filled in as soon as possible. Planning for the potential appeals is important since many claims get rejected at the initial stage.
4. Understanding Mental Health SSD Benefits: Other disorders such as bipolar depression, PTSD, are also included under the ELF but they are covered under SSD aid as well. But such cases are usually more complicated, and one needs to provide enough documents to show how this diagnosis affects the working abilities for the individual.
5. Appealing Denied Claims: Where an SSD claim of exposed suffers is turned down, attorneys should be on the look to file their appeals and even further substantiative evidence that would prove their clients claim to be valid, in cases of medically complex situations.

Attorneys’ Guide to Handling Complex SSD Cases

The two areas that these manual addresses, attorneys need to understand very well if they are dealing with difficult SSD cases – Medical conditions, Legal processes. Here are the key points for attorneys’ consideration – it’s not comprehensive, but rather authors’ opinions:

• Consult Medical Experts: In some instances, attorneys should reach out to medical professionals such as doctors and nurses to get their opinions on the degree of the client’s health issue for which SSD assistance is being applied.
• Addressing SSA’s Evaluation Process: Remind the client that all steps SSA’s evaluation process is important, mostly when the client’s status does not qualify from the eligible list.
• Handling Mental Health Cases: When it comes to mental health cases, it is crucial to specify both medical and vocational evidence in support of a claim.

Common Illnesses and Disorders Covered Under SSD Benefits

As mentioned earlier there are a wide range of common illnesses and disorders which are covered under SSD benefits. These are the conditions that physically and/or functionally impede the client from working and carrying out normal day to day chores. Some of these include the following:

• Chronic Respiratory Disorders – This includes asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
• Heart Disease – Such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure.
• Mental Health Disorders – This includes anxiety, major depression, and schizophrenia.
• Neurological Conditions – Such as tuberculosis epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis.
• Cancer – Particularly advanced cancers or ones which inhibit major bodily functions.

Knowing what conditions fall under SSD and how to write it would be very beneficial for attorneys in helping clients in the SSD benefits.

Understanding SSD Benefits for Mental Health Conditions

Establishing qualification for SSD benefits is often a challenge when clients have mental health related issues. However, as per SSA criteria their mental health disorders can hinder most, if not all, of their daily activities. Such common conditions can include:

• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Anxiety Disorders

There is a need for the involvement of attorneys to collaborate with psychologists to write everything in detail about the client.

Conclusion

To approach the intricacies of Social Security Disability Benefits, one must have a thorough understanding of the underlying medical conditions that serve as a basis for aiding people in need. Considering the above, an attorney must comprehend which medical conditions for disability are sufficient to get a proper representation of a client and receive the benefits clients need. It can be physical disabilities, chronic illness or any mental disability one must have enough information and evidence along with knowledge of the disability assessment process to win.