How The Blue Book Impacts The Disability Claims Process
The Blue Book contains various disabling conditions that can qualify you for Social Security disability benefits. These listings are designed to help you better understand the information that you need to supply with your disability claim to prove that you are totally disabled per the guidelines that are supplied by the strict definitions set forth by the SSA.
Besides these impairment listings, the Blue Book contains detailed information about the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Insurance programs, which are both disability benefit programs. It also explains the process used for disability determination decisions.
While having a condition that meets the specific criteria specified for your specific condition doesnt guarantee that you will be approved for benefits, it does establish that you have suffered a disabling condition long enough to have your claim considered by the SSA.
When deciding to determine if you are awarded benefits, the SSA will work to determine the severity of your condition based on your provided documentation. Understanding the Blue Book listing and its expectations for benefits approval is essential for a successful claim. The Blue Book criteria will help you understand what evidence and documentation you need to support your claim and improve your odds of having your claim approved.
What Is A Disability According To The Social Security Administration
HomeBlogFrequently Asked Questions What Is a Disability According to the Social Security Administration?
There is a strict definition of disability according to the Social Security Administration . The organization defines a disability as a medical condition that meets all of the following criteria:
- It is a medically determinable physical or mental impairment
- It prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful activity and
- It has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 consecutive months, or it is expected to result in your death.
For help determining whether or not you meet these criteria, contact the Social Security Disability attorneys at the Disability Advantage Group. We offer free case evaluations to disability applicants nationwide. Call today.
Why Your Herniated Disc Disability May Have Been Denied
Herniated discs occur when the softened center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in its casing. This disorder, which occurs in over 3 million Americans per year, can range in severity from unnoticeable to cripplingly painful. Unfortunately, this variance can make it difficult to get disability benefits, especially upon initial application.
If your herniated disc disability application was denied, it is important to stay vigilant. Continue below to learn why your case may have been denied and how you can get started on the next step in the process.
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What Is The Social Security Administration Blue Book
Officially titled the Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, the SSA Blue Book is, in its most basic sense, how the SSA determines who will qualify for disability benefits and how much compensation an applicant should receive. The first section of the Blue Book gives general information about disability programs that are administered by the SSA, namely, SSDI and SSI. It also details the claims process under both of these programs and defines disability in terms of SSA disability program accessibility.
The second section of the SSA Blue Book outlines which sources of medical information and evidence are acceptable for purposes of determining whether an applicant qualifies for Social Security disability benefits. The third section of the Blue Book makes up the bulk of it. It is also likely to be the most commonly reviewed by both applicants and their health care providers during the application process.
Applying For Benefits If Your Condition Isnt Listed
Since there are thousands of different medical conditions that cause impairments, it would be impossible to list them all in the Blue Book. Only common conditions are included. If your condition isnt listed in the Blue Book, but you believe it creates impairments that prevent you from working, you may still be eligible for disability benefits. To be approved, you will need to show that your condition meets or equals one of the listings.
For example, consider an applicant who suffers from frequent migraine headaches that have not responded to treatment. Migraines arent listed in the Blue Book, but the application may be approved if there is evidence that the effects of the headaches are similar to what is described in the Blue Book listing for non-convulsive seizures in the neurological section 11.03.
Another example of when you might get approval for benefits despite not meeting the Blue Book criteria is when you have several more minor conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and obesity, that have a cumulative effect that is equivalent to a more serious condition.
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What Mental Impairments Are In The Ssa Blue Book
The SSA Blue Book lists of all of the injuries or illnesses defined as disabling. It includes a list of mental impairments, which include the following:
- Brain Disorders This includes anyone who has suffered from cerebral trauma, brain cancer or advanced multiple sclerosis.
- Learning Disabilities This includes anyone who suffers from a functional impairment in addition to a low IQ. It can also include autism and ADHD .
- Anxiety This includes social anxiety, which can be so severe that it limits your ability to leave your home. It also includes PTSD .
- Depression This includes anyone who suffers from various forms of depression, such as major depression, manic depression or dysthymia.
- Personality Disorders This includes anyone who suffers from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder or oppositional defiant disorder.
- Other mental conditions The Blue Book considers other mental conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimers, as disabling.
What Are The Nonmedical Requirements For Social Security Disability
Qualifying for Social Security disability takes more than proof of being disabled and unable to work. You also must satisfy nonmedical requirements to qualify for benefits. Each disability program, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income has its nonmedical requirements for Social Security disability.
Here is a look at the nonmedical Social Security disability criteria for SSI and SSDI to give you a better understanding of what you need to prove in addition to the existence of physical or mental impairments expected to last more than a continuous period of 12 months or cause death. Working with an SSD lawyer at NY Disability ensures that all requirements, both medical and nonmedical, are addressed when submitting an initial application for benefits or when challenging an adverse decision on your claim through the Social Security appeal process.
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Do You Need Help Filing A Social Security Disability Claim Contact Social Security Disability Lawyers
The Blue Book isnt easy reading, and as you might have already experienced, filing for Social Security Disability isnt an easy process neither is it a smooth one, for many people. Often, people are denied Social Security benefits at least once but sometimes even more often during the filing process. Too often, being denied Social Security Benefits boils down to not having enough knowledge about and not following the proper SSD filing protocol.
Fortunately, the attorneys at Sternberg / Forsythe, P.A. are here to help. Serving the Palm Beach County, Marin County, and Orlando areas, our Social Security Disability lawyers provide prime legal representation and devoted client service throughout the entire claims and appeals processes when filing for Social Security Disability.
Call us at -687-5660 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today. We offer evening and weekend appointments and will even travel if youre unable to make it to one of our offices.
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Why Do I Need A Harrisburg Social Security Attorney
Even though the SSDI process is a matter of completely and filing forms and following the SSA’s instructions, the process of filing and qualifying for Social Security disability benefits can be complicated and frustrating. The smallest mistake could result in a costly delay or denial of benefits. When the SSA denies a claim, an applicant can appeal the decision.
Contact the experienced Harrisburg Social Security lawyers of Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC for a free consultation. Our firm has helped Harrisburg and the surrounding areas since 1922, and were ready to be the advocates that you deserve right now. We know how important SSDI benefits are for those who need them and are proud each time were able to make a difference for a client.
Your consultation is free and confidential when you call us right now at 498-3023.
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What Is In The Ssa Blue Book
The Blue Book, as it is commonly called, contains a great deal of information about disabling impairments and the SSAs criteria to help those applying for benefits.
The Blue Book is divided into three sections:
- Part I General Information: This section briefly describes the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Insurance programs, the SSAs procedures for assessing claims, and the role of medical experts and professionals.
- Part II Evidentiary Requirements: This section breaks down the types of documentation and medical evidence the SSA will require when making a disability determination.
- Part III Listing of Impairments: This section details various impairments that meet the disability standard for adults and children .
The impairments in the Blue Book are divided into several categories, including:
- Cardiovascular system
- Special senses
What Conditions Automatically Qualify You As Disabled
Getting injured, whether at home or at work, can be a frustrating ordeal. As weve documented over the past few years, there is a very specific process to claiming Social Security Disability, and making sure your claim actually gets approved. Hundreds of thousands of claims are denied each year, primarily because the person doesnt meet the minimum requirements for injuries that result in compensation.
If youre currently investigating and researching Social Security Disability compensation, its best to educate and arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. And, one of those tools is the Listing of Medical Impairments that is maintained by the Social Security Administration . This list, also known as the Blue Book, details conditions that automatically designate you as disabled, and qualify you for social security benefits.
Generally, the SSAs list of impairments is broken down by bodily components, and its important to keep in mind that separate lists are kept for adults and children under the age of 18. However, the list is pretty much the same, except for growth impairment in children.
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Is Your Condition Severe
Your condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering for at least 12 months. If it does not, we will find that you are not disabled.
If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, we go to Step 3.
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What Is A Substantial Gainful Activity
Before it awards disability benefits, the SSA will determine if your medical condition is severe enough to prevent you from working. If you are unable to workor maintain a substantial gainful activityyou could qualify.
To determine if you are able to work, the organization compares your monthly income to its substantial gainful activity limit. As of 2018, the threshold is $1,180 per month. If your earned income exceeds that amount, the SSA will likely consider you able to work.
If you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance and not Supplemental Security Income , it is important to note that the SSA does not limit the amount of income you can earn from non-work activities. For instance, if you earn passive income through stock investing, real estate, angel investing, bonds, dividends, or another source, it will not affect your ability to get approved for SSDI.
The rules are different for SSI. Because SSI is a government welfare program for the needy, it caps your incomeas well as your total assetsfrom all sources, not just those involving work. You must meet SSI rules regarding income and assets to qualify for benefits.
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Our Ssdi Attorneys Can Help
The SSAs Listing of Impairments is a detailed, complicated document. It is very difficult for a non-medical person to understand all of the requirements for qualification included here. When you work with one of Keller & Kellers Social Security disability attorneys, however, you will get the help you need to determine your eligibility and secure the evidence you need so that your application is accepted the first time. Call our Albuquerque office to schedule a free consultation today.
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Special Senses And Speech
According to the SSA, special senses and speech refer to the abilities to see, hear, and speak. The common types of impairments primarily deal with those individuals who are affected by blindness, deafness and speech incapability. There are several tests for these conditions such as the blindness tests that determines an individual as blind which by the SSAs standards their vision must be 20/200 or less in the better of eye.
Testing for deafness will also be administered to show medically determinable hearing loss impairment and specific audiometric measurements of the severity. Common conditions associated include macular degeneration and Menieres disease. Conditions that cause vertigo are also considered under this section.
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Get Help From A Qualified Attorney Today
A qualified attorney at our firm is here to help you every step of the way. We are well-versed in the disability determination process and how to meet the SSAs definition of a disability. Claimants who seek legal representation may have a greater chance of being approved than those who do not.
Read some reviews from satisfied clients and contact our office anytime, day or night, to schedule a risk-free legal consultation. There is no obligation to have our firm represent you after this initial meeting and no upfront fees to investigate or work on a case.
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A Variety Of Symptoms Can Support A Va Disability Rating For A Bulging Disc
The spine includes bones called vertebrae that are separated and cushioned by discs. These discs are not made from bones, but rather have a fibrous ring that protects a rubbery nucleus. The purpose of the discs is to provide flexibility in the spine so you can bend front-to-back, lean side-to-side, and twist. The discs also act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae, so they do not grind against one another. Its easy to see how you could have back pain from discs bulging or moving around.
A bulging disc, also called a prolapsed disc, occurs when the fibrous ring loses its structural integrity and becomes deformed. A bulging disc is caused by the deterioration of the fibrous ring due to age, injury, or overuse. Specifically, the discs dry up and harden as we age. Loss of back flexibility among older people is often caused, at least partly, by the hardening of spinal discs. This loss of cushioning can make discs prone to deforming when you lift, twist, or bend.
Occasionally, discs will bulge without any symptoms.However, there is not much space in the spine for the discs to deform. As aresult, most bulging discs will push into the spinal canal.
In addition to nerve pain, a bulging disc can also cause muscle spasms, muscle weakness, or loss of muscle control. For example, incontinence or difficulty walking can result from a bulging disc that presses on nerves running to the bladder or legs, respectively.
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Disability Blue Book 2021
Disability Evaluation Under Social Security has been specially prepared to provide physicians and other health professionals with an understanding of the disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration. It explains how each program works, and the kinds of information a health. Listing of Impairments – Adult Listings The following sections contain medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over and that may apply to the evaluation of impairments in children under age 18 if the disease processes have a similar effect on adults and younger children. 1.00 This guide, called the Blue Book, separates disabling conditions into different categories and lists the specifications needed for each condition to qualify for disability benefits. There are two parts to the book: Part A is used to evaluate Adults and Part B is used to evaluate children The Social Security Administration uses the Blue Book to determine whether someone has a disability that prevents them from working. At step three of the five-part disability evaluation process, the SSA reviews an applicant’s medical records to decide whether his or her medical condition meets the requirements of a disability listing found in the Blue Book This edition of Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, , has been specially prepared to provide physicians and other health. professionals with an understanding of the disability programs administered by the
Proving You Have A Listed Mental Impairment
Remember, you cant just check off a box saying that you have a mental impairment listed in the Blue Book. You will need to prove that you have the condition. You will also need to prove that the symptoms you suffer as a result of that condition disable you.
This requires that you have the medical statements to back it up. If you dont have enough evidence collected, you may need to have further testing done in order to prove your diagnosis or to be professionally diagnosed.
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