According to the National Institutes of Health, 20,000-30,000 adults are afflicted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease (named after its most famous sufferer). The disease is described as “rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease.” Usually sufferers of the disease will succumb within 3 to 5…
Section 4.00 lists several cardiovascular ailments that could potentially qualify a person for disability. There are number of tests used to make such a determination. One such test that the Social Security Administration explains thoroughly is the exercise test. Exercise tests are for the most part exactly what they sound…
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a broad category of mental impairments called “Organic Mental Disorders.” What makes “organic” mental disorders different from the Affective Disorders and Anxiety Disorders that have been discussed earlier on this blog? “Organic Medical Disorders” as described in Listing 12.02 are “psychological or behavioral abnormalities…
Section 14 of the Social Security Disability listings describe diseases of the immune system. The SSA organizes Immune System Disorders into three categories: autoimmune disorders, immune deficiency disorders that are not HIV, and HIV. An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body literally starts attacking itself. The immune system mistakes healthy…
It’s estimated that three million Americans suffer from anemia. That number is expected to increase as the population continues to age—almost 10% of people over sixty-five have some form of the disease. Red blood cells are rich in a substance called hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen molecules to all…
Many people do not know that obesity is not a listed impairment under the Social Security Regulations. At one time, weight and height were considered in combination to be a reason for disability. However, on August 24, 1999, obesity was deleted from listing 9.09. Now, SSR02-1p sets out how obesity…
The Social Security Administration recently announced that monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012. The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2012. Increased…
With regard to migraine headaches, SSA indicated in Q&A 09-036 that migraines cannot be considered a “medically determinable impairment” solely on a diagnosis in the evidence or on a claimant’s reported symptoms. SSA requires that there must be clinical signs or laboratory findings to support a finding of migraine headaches.…
While reflex sympathetic dystrophy is not a listed impairment under the Listings of Impairments, SSA recognizes that it could be a condition that may result in disability. Social Security Ruling 03-02p suggests that reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a chronic pain syndrome most often resulting from trauma to a single extremity.…
Effective July 28, 2011, the Social Security Administration changed its policy regarding the filing of subsequent applications for disability benefits. In 1999, SSA had in place a procedure which allowed for the filing of a new application for Social Security Disability benefits even though a prior application was on file.…