If you are looking to be successful when applying for Social Security disability benefits, you must be able to show that you meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. Essentially, doing so requires showing that you are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity as a result of your medical or mental health condition. You will also be required to show that your qualifying condition has either lasted for 12 consecutive months, is expected to last that long, or the condition will be fatal. This article will discuss a few of the most common conditions that qualify for Social Security Disability benefits and how the process works.

Heart Conditions

Heart disease and other cardiovascular issues can affect an individual’s ability to work in many different ways. These can include heart attacks, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure.  Treatment of these various heart conditions can include prescription medication, surgery, and/or exercise and reduced stress. When it comes to disability benefits for these conditions, a social security disability applicant must demonstrate how the condition affects their physical, and even psychological, capacity in a way that is serious enough to keep them from working.

A Cancer Diagnosis

It is probably not surprising, but a cancer diagnosis receives serious consideration by the Social Security Administration. However, applying for social security benefits in the face of a cancer diagnosis can be very complicated. Therefore it is best to seek the assistance of a social security disability attorney before applying. Depending on the stage of cancer involved, the application may necessitate immediate review.

Chronic Back Pain

Perhaps one of the most common conditions reported by applicants for social security disability benefits is chronic back pain. Back pain itself is not the diagnosed condition, but instead a symptom of a condition. Nevertheless, depending on the severity of the pain, it can have a significant effect on your ability to hold down a full-time job. That can be true regardless of how physical your job duties may be. Some medical conditions that result in chronic back pain are degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and stenosis. These and other conditions leading to back pain are often treated with surgery or through pain management such as narcotics, physical therapy, and spinal injections.

Mental Health Conditions

All conditions that are eligible for social security disability benefits are not physical. Psychological or mental health conditions may also be eligible for benefits. If a mental health condition affects your ability to work because, for example, you are not able to stay focused for an entire shift, the condition may qualify you for social security disability benefits. Some of the most common mental health conditions approved are depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and intellectual disabilities.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Another very common social security disability claim is for carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a nerve condition that results in numbness and tingling in your hands and arms and potential weakness. The cause is a pinched nerve in the wrist commonly caused by certain repetitive motions of the hands. Receptionists are highly susceptible to this condition because of their job duties. The numbness and weakness in the hands and arms can cause many people to be incapable of working.

Ways to Prove That You Meet the Definition of Disability

Our disability attorney explains that there are three basic ways to prove that you meet the definition of disability established by the Social Security Administration: (1) meeting a Social Security listing, (2) fitting within a “grid rule,” or (3) proving that your ability to function in a simple, entry-level job is significantly compromised by your condition that you could not reasonably be a reliable employee. However, the easiest and quickest way to be approved for Social Security disability benefits is by meeting a listing.

Why Meeting an Social Security Listing is So Helpful

There a number of reasons why meeting a listing is the easiest way to be approved for Social Security disability benefits. The SSA listings provide a description of what the agency considers serious medical problems. If you condition meetings one of the conditions listed, then the SSA will assume that your capacity to work is compromised. In that case, you will not be required to offer substantial proof regarding your work capacity.
If you have questions regarding qualifying medical conditions or any other social security disability matters in Arkansas or Missouri, please contact the Cottrell Law Office for a free consultation. You can contact us either online or by calling us toll-free at (888) 616-6356.