Medical Conditions
We’re often asked, “Does my condition qualify for disability benefits?” or “What conditions qualify for Social Security Disability?” Our answer is almost always: it depends. Like many areas of the law, Social Security Disability law rarely involves black-and-white, yes-or-no situations. Almost all applications fall into a gray area where they could be approved or denied. For example, one person with a specific back condition could be approved for benefits while someone with a very similar or even exact same condition could be denied based on other factors in their case such as age, education level, work history or how the condition limits them versus how it limits the other person.
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Which Conditions Qualify for SSD Claims?
While there are no exact answer to which conditions qualify for Social Security Disability, we have compiled a list of common conditions that people CAN be approved for, assuming the facts line up and their case is presented properly by an experienced Social Security Disability attorney. Just because you’ve been diagnosed with one of these conditions, it doesn’t mean that you automatically qualify for benefits.
But with proper representation, you should have a good chance of being approved. While this list is quite long and detailed, it’s not exhaustive. Other conditions not listed can qualify you for disability benefits. On the flip side, just because you’ve been diagnosed with one of these conditions, it doesn’t mean you automatically qualify.
Musculoskeletal System Conditions
Affecting Special Senses
- Loss of visual acuity
- Contraction of visual fields
- Loss of visual efficiency
- Vestibular dysfunction
- Loss of speech
- Loss of hearing treated with a cochlear implant
Respiratory Disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic pulmonary hypertension
- Pneumoconiosis (brown lung, black lung, etc.)
- Bronchiectasis
- Tuberculosis, fungus, chronic infections
- Respiratory failure
Cardiovascular System Conditions
- Chronic heart failure
- Ischemic heart disease
- Recurrent arrhythmias
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart transplant
- Aneurysm of the aorta or other major branch of the heart
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Peripheral arterial disease
Digestive System Conditions
- Gastrointestinal hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion
- Chronic liver disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Short bowel syndrome
- Liver transplant
Kidney Disease
- Chronic kidney disease with dialysis
- Kidney transplant
- Chronic kidney disease with impairment of kidney function
- Kidney nephritis
- End-stage kidney disease
Hermatology or Blood Disease
- Anemias such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia or other variants
- Disorders of thrombosis and hemostasis
- Disorders of bone marrow failure
- Need for bone marrow or stem cell transplant
Skin Disorders
- Ichthyosis
- Bullous disease
- Chronic skin infections
- Chronic dermatitis
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Genetic photosensitivity
- Extensive burns
Endocrine Disorders
- Thyroid disorders
- Parathyroid disorders
- Pituitary gland disorders
- Adrenal disorders
- Diabetes and complications related to diabetes
Congenital Disorders
- Down syndrome
- Congenital heart disease
- Tay-Sachs disease
- Trisomy X syndrome
- Fragile X syndrome
- Caudal regression syndrome
Neurological Conditions
- Epilepsy or seizure disorder
- Stroke
- Brain tumor
- Parkinson’s disease
- Cerebral palsy
- Spinal cord disorders affecting the central nervous system
- Multiple sclerosis
- ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Polio
- Myasthenia gravis
- Huntington’s chorea
Psychiatric Disorders
- Brain diseases affecting psychiatric health
- Depression or depressive disorders
- Schizophrenia, paranoia
- Affective or mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder or other stress-related disorders
- Autism and mental retardation
- Anxiety and related disorders
- Somatoform disorders
- Adult personality disorders
Cancer and Cancer Treatment
- Breast cancer
- Bone cancer
- Lung cancer
- Skin cancer
- Soft-tissue sarcoma
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Cancer of salivary glands
- Thyroid cancer
- Cancer of the central nervous system
- Stomach cancer
- Colon cancer
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Cancer of the liver
- Malignant melanoma
- Side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Immune System Disorders
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Other inflammatory arthritis
- Systemic sclerosis
- Systemic vasculitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Connective tissue disorder
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Complications of HIV and AIDS
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Understanding Social Security Disability
SSD vs. SSI
Learn the difference between social security disability and supplemental security income.
Submitting Claims Process
The social security claimes process can be confusing but we’re here to help.
Qualifying Coditions
Understand how to determine elgibility for social security disability claims.
Veterans Law
We are proud to support military veterans and help them claim the benefits they’ve earned.
Social Security Law resources from RQP Law
Social Security Disability Wait Time
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Social Security Disability’s 5-Step Sequential Process
Social Security uses a 5-step process to determine every Social Security Disability case that is submitted to them for...
How to Win a Social Security Disability Claim
Most people have heard horror stories about Social Security Disability claims taking forever, and people being denied...
Schedule a FREE Consultation
The best way to confirm your Social Security disability eligibility is to seek the advice of an experienced law firm. At RQP Law, we can help determine your eligibility and build the strongest case around your situation to prove to Social Security why your condition qualifies you for benefits.
We are pleased to meet with you in our Pottstown, PA primary office or any of our satellite offices
Florida
101 NE 3rd Avenue
Suite 1500
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 399-6400
Maryland
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Suite 200
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 670-7367
New Jersey
300 Carnegie Center
Suite 150
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 503-7355
North Carolina
1515 Mockingbird Ln
Suite 410
Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 594-1876