Social Security Disability (SSD) Listings & Qualifying Conditions
One way to qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits is to show that you have a severe impairment that meets or equals a listed impairment. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has laid out specific types and severities of impairments that qualify as disabilities.
If your severe impairment meets or equals a listed impairment, you will likely qualify for SSD or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Even if your particular disorder is not listed, if it is substantially similar to disorders in the listings, you can prove your impairment is a disability that qualifies you for SSD benefits.
The most important factor considered by the SSA is your medical records. The types of evidence needed to prove your claim depend on your impairment. At Reitan Law Office, PLLC, our lawyers know the types of medical evidence given weight by the SSA and build strong claims to increase our clients’ chances of getting approved for SSD. With four convenient office locations, our firm serves clients throughout southern Minnesota as well as Fargo, North Dakota.
Psychological and emotional disabilities can be more difficult to prove. Make sure you clearly demonstrate your need for disability benefits on your initial application.
What Medical Conditions Qualify For Disability In Minnesota?
- Musculoskeletal system impairments: Spine disorders, amputations, fractures to the upper or lower body, soft tissue injuries and other joint dysfunction
- Special senses and speech: Such as visual, speech and hearing impairments
- Respiratory system: Including asthma, cystic fibrosis and other chronic, persistent lung infections
- Cardiovascular system: Impairments like chronic heart failure, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease and aneurysms
- Digestive system: Liver disease, bowel disorders and other intestinal issues
- Genitourinary impairments: Including neuropathy, osteoporosis and renal function impairments
- Hematological disorders: Anemia, sickle cell disease and other blood disorders
- Skin disorders: Such as dermatitis, burns, genetic photosensitivity disorders and other chronic skin infections
- Endocrine disorders: Such as thyroid and adrenal gland disorders
- Congenital disorders: Disorders that affect multiple body system
- Neurological disorders: Including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s and other spinal or muscular disorders
- Mental disorders: Including intellectual, anxiety, personality and affective disorders
- Malignant neoplastic disease: Including leukemia, lymphoma and soft tissue tumors
- Immune system disorders: Such as lupus, HIV and other immune deficiency disorders
If you do not meet or equal a listing, you likely will need to show that you have a residual functional capacity that precludes all gainful employment. However, that rule is softened for those who cannot do their past work (work performed in the last 15 years) and are over age 50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Navigating SSD can feel overwhelming on your own, especially when your condition does not exactly match a listed diagnosis. By learning about the legal process in advance, you can understand what to expect and prepare better for the claim process.
Can I qualify for SSD if my medical condition is not on the listing?
Yes, you may still get SSD benefits even if your medical condition is not on the listing of impairments. The SSA does not require that you have a listed condition by name. Instead, it checks whether your condition “meets” or “equals” a listing. If it does not, the SSA then looks at your functional limitations to decide whether you can do your past work or any other work.
What medical evidence must I provide to prove my condition meets an SSD listing?
To strengthen your case, you need to submit medical evidence showing that your symptoms, test results, exam findings and treatment history match the specific criteria in the listing. This includes records from doctors and specialists, imaging results, laboratory tests, hospitalization records and notes describing how your condition affects your daily functioning.
While the SSA gives the most weight to objective medical evidence, it also considers statements from your doctors about your limitations, how long your condition has lasted or is expected to last, and whether treatment has been effective.
How will the SSA evaluate my claim if I have multiple medical conditions?
If you have multiple medical conditions, the SSA will evaluate them together, not one at a time. This is vital because several moderate conditions can combine to create severe overall limitations, even if no single condition meets a listing by itself. The SSA will consider how all of your impairments affect your ability to work, including physical, mental and symptom-related limitations.
It will also look at the combined impact of your conditions on your daily activities, treatment needs and overall ability to sustain full-time work.
Contact Us For More Information About SSD Listings And Disability Benefits
For more information about SSD and SSI benefits, contact our firm at 952-448-2800 (Chaska), 701-581-7854 (Fargo, North Dakota), 507-388-1800 (Mankato) or 612-424-6011 (Minneapolis). You can also complete an online intake form. Our attorneys are available to answer your questions and guide your claim.