The Social Security Administration operates several programs that provide disability benefits for individuals with qualifying medical conditions. However, a qualifying condition for Social Security disability must meet specific criteria, including severity and duration. As a result, the SSA may not consider various medical conditions a “disability” that entitles a person to SSD benefits.
The SSA’s Definition of a Disability
The Social Security Administration considers a medical condition a “disability” when it renders a person incapable of working all types of work for at least one year.
The SSA maintains a listing of medical conditions that can qualify as disabilities called the “Blue Book.” An applicant for SSD benefits usually must have a medical impairment listed in the Blue Book or a condition that equals or exceeds the severity of a listed condition to qualify for SSD benefits.
Common Conditions Typically Not Approved on Their Own
Examples of medical conditions that may not meet the Social Security Administration’s criteria for disability include:
- Mild conditions whose symptoms do not significantly impair a person’s daily functioning or prevent them from performing substantial gainful activity
- Medical conditions with symptoms adequately controlled by medication, therapy, or other treatment, such as hypertension, asthma, or epilepsy
- Short-term or temporary conditions, such as broken bones or ligament/tendon tears, which can heal with medical treatment, surgery, and physical therapy, since a disabling condition must last at least 12 months
- Conditions with inconsistent or subjective symptoms, such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome (unless an applicant has objective medical evidence supporting a diagnosis of the condition and its symptoms)
- Mental health conditions that do not cause functional impairment, such as anxiety or depression managed with treatments like medication or talk therapy
How a Denied Condition Can Become Part of a Valid Claim
Although certain medical conditions alone may not qualify an individual for SSD benefits, those conditions can combine with or contribute to other medical conditions to render a person incapable of substantial gainful activity. As a result, applicants may need to provide medical evidence to document how their conditions interact with each other and build upon one another, rendering the applicant incapable of working. An SSD claim based on multiple interacting conditions will focus on demonstrating how the combination of those conditions leads to functional limitations, rather than solely on the diagnosis of those conditions.
What to Do When the SSA Denies Your Condition
The Social Security Administration denies many legitimate SSD claims on initial review. If the SSA has denied your claim, you should not give up the possibility of receiving SSD benefits. The SSA offers an administrative appeals process for applicants to challenge the denial of their claims and submit additional evidence to prove that their medical condition qualifies as a disability. Applicants should consult with an experienced Social Security disability attorney as soon as possible to discuss the evidence that can support their claim and the legal options available for appealing the denial of their claim.
Contact an SSD Lawyer Today
When the Social Security Administration denies your SSD benefits claim because it does not consider your medical condition a “disability,” you need experienced legal counsel to help you advocate for your right to benefits. Contact Crowe & Shanahan today for a free, confidential consultation with an SSD attorney to learn why the SSA deems certain conditions not severe enough to qualify an individual for benefits.