social security disability

List of Impairments for Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits


 
The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of impairments, titled “Disability Evaluation under Social Security.” This book lists impairments is used by just about every individual involved in the disability determination process, including the disability examiners who evaluate disability claims and appeals, the doctors who work for the state disability agency, and the administrative law judges (ALJs) who decide final hearing level appeals to disability claims that have been denied.

The List of Impairments book is blue, and so it is commonly referred to as the “blue book.” The blue book contains descriptions, or listings, of over 100 medical physical or mental impairments recognized by the SSA to be potentially “disabling,” and which may prevent an individual from working.

Listings in the blue book are separated by category: musculoskeletal, immune, special senses, cardiovascular, hemic-lymphatic, neurological, multiple body, skine, digestive, genitor-urinary, respiratory, endocrine, and neoplastic.

If the condition from which you suffer does not have a listing in the blue book, can you still be approved for disability benefits? The answer to that is, absolutely, if you have medical documentation, from a licensed physician, to back up your claim. In fact, many medical conditions commonly recognized today are not listed, including carpal tunnel, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia —even Manic Depressive Disorder is not listed, although Bipolar Disorder does have a sub-listing under Affective Disorders (12.04).

The Listing of Impairments is in place only to try to ensure that state disability examiners are using the same set of criteria to evaluate claims, and that there is at least some uniformity in the disability determination process; i.e., you cannot be denied benefits for a condition in Texas that would be approved in California. It also exists to provide definitions for terms and concepts that apply to the process, again to provide uniformity for what is a national program.

Actually, the majority of disability applicants who receive disability benefits are awarded those benefits for conditions not specifically listed in the blue book, in the form of a Medical Vocational Allowance, or Med-Voc. Med-Voc allowances are granted to disability applicants with conditions (or multiple conditions) that, while not listed in the SSA impairment manual, do prevent an individual from performing either their past work or any other work for which they may be otherwise qualified.

Again, as with all disability claims, a Med-Voc allowance will be awarded only to those with solid medical evidence, detailing the exact nature of the claimant’s symptoms and how those symptoms prevent him or her from performing their job duties.















How the programs really work:  

Social Security Disability and SSI Disability


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Topics and Questions


  • Social Security said I am not disabled

  • Working while getting Disability - is it possible?

  • How important is reporting income for those who currently receive disability benefits ?

  • The Social Security Disability and SSI Appeal Process

  • What physicians and claimants should know about Social Security Disability

  • Social Security Disability Application Online

  • A medical source statement for a Social Security Disability Case

  • What types of information is Social Security Disability looking for?

  • Social Security Disability - The claimant's ability to work

  • Are the Chances of Winning Disability Benefits Higher at a Social Security Hearing with a Judge?

  • Letters from doctors for Social Security Disability

  • What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

  • What do you if you get a disability claim denial? - Requirements for Disability

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  • Do you get medical healthcare benefits with Social Security disability ?

  • When should you apply for Social security disability?

  • How do I check the status of my Social Security disability claim ?

  • How is Social Security Disability Awarded?

  • Social Security Disability SSI - Income and Financial Issues

  • Social Security Disability Medical Records

  • Is Social Security required to make a decision on a disability case in a certain time period?

  • Social Security Disability Mental Testing

  • If you are denied for disability, is this based on your ability to do your past work?

  • Social Security Disability Representation

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  • Qualifications for Social Security Disability

  • How does Social Security consider lupus as a disability?

  • How To Get SSDI Approved

  • If you get denied on a disability appeal can you get another appeal?

  • Doing the SSDI Appeal Online

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  • How Will Social Security Decide a Disability Case that's filed?

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  • Being Determined Medically Disabled for Social Security Disability

  • Am I Eligible For Social Security Disability?

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  • Social Security Disability SSI Appeal

  • Social Security Disability SSI Denied

  • Medical Records Social Security Disability

  • Advice for How to Win Social Security

  • If you are applying for Social Security disability when does Medicare start ?

  • How to Prepare For a Social Security Disability SSI Hearing

  • Speeding up the Request for a Social Security Hearing - Documentation that is needed

  • List of Impairments for Social Security Disability SSI

  • How Long Does a Social Security Disability or SSI Appeal Take?

  • Social Security Medical Exam

  • Request for a Social Security Disability Hearing

  • Social Security Disability Facts

  • Receiving Benefits - Your Medical Condition and Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Why Do Social Security Disability Claims Take So Long?

  • What are social security disability denials based on, your medical or work history?

  • Social Security Disability Advice for Filing

  • If You Are 62, Should You File For Social Security or Social Security Disability?

  • Do You Qualify For SSDI Benefits from SSA? (Social Security Disability Insurance)

  • Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability

  • Can you get a disability decision in under a month ?

  • Why was I denied social security disability?

  • Will I Get SSI or SSD Disability With a Ruptured Disc?

  • Social Security Disability Doctor, Supportive Statements

  • What happens if the Social Security disability examiner cannot find all the needed medical records?

  • What Are the Chances of Winning an SSA Disability Appeal?

  • Requesting a Disability Hearing After You are Denied

  • Who qualifies for disability benefits under the SSD or SSI program?

  • How Do You Win An SSI or Social Security Disability Hearing?

  • Dire Need and Getting a Social Security Disability or SSI Case Speeded Up














    Special Sections


  • Social Security Disability and SSI Questions

  • Social Security Disability SSI Application Process

  • Filing for Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits

  • Social Security Disability SSI Decisions

  • What is considered a Disabling condition?

  • The Disability Decision Process

  • Winning Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Requirements for Social Security Disability and SSI

  • Getting Denied for Disability







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