The SSA tells us that more than 10 million people receive Social Security Disability benefits each year in America. In this massive total, 8.9 million people are members of the labor force, 259,000 widows, and approximately 1 million adults.
We at Kahn Associates understand that qualifying for disability can be a complex task for anyone who already has a lot of problems. Basic mobility problems and diseases caused by disabilities often translate into rejected cases.
Not getting a fair paycheck when you apply for SSDI benefits can be devastating when you have a family to support. If you’re a person who is looking to apply for SSDI benefits, Kahn and Associates can help. We charge a fee on a contingency basis, so we don’t get paid until you win.
According to published statistics, 75% of all people who apply for disability benefits on their own have their appeals rejected.
This usually happens because of a lack of proper documentation, preparation, or simply because their case is not viable. Understanding whether you have a valid case can be complicated too since the SSA’s definition of being “disabled” may be much harsher than what you might consider.
There are some conditions that meet the criteria more often than others. Being familiar with these conditions might make the process easy for you, and you can also know that you have a valid case. Even if your appeal for disability benefits gets rejected after you’ve applied, our experienced disability attorneys can help you appeal the decision.
The following are some of the most common disabling conditions.
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Connective Muscle Problems
According to the SSA, the most common disabling condition amongst disabled members of the labor force is diseases associated with the musculoskeletal structure (33 percent of all diagnoses). This disability can damage a person’s bones, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These problems impair movement and make it impossible for a person to earn a living.
Some of the common examples of this disorder are:
1. Arthritis
People with arthritis often face significant problems when they’re working. But simply being diagnosed with arthritis and facing some challenges at work is not enough. To qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, you’ll have to prove to the SSA that your condition is severe.
2. Back Pain
Spinal disorders, issues associated with a degenerative disc, and scoliosis can also make life hard for people. Folkswith these problems can often get abnormal curvatures in the spine which can make walking difficult, and other functions of the body might behave oddly, too. The pain of this condition makes this problem a disability for many people, even those that have jobs where they sit down as they cannot sit long enough to perform their tasks without severe pain.
3. Fibromyalgia
This is a complex condition that causes pain in tendons, soft tissues, and muscles that can last for months, or even years. The reviewers at SSA’s determination branch will try to evaluate if the pain is severe enough and that it lasts at least a year. According to the SSA, only conditions that are long-lasting (over one year) can qualify for disability benefits. If your condition is severe and doesn’t last for a long time – you might not get SSD.
Mental Disorders
The next biggest share in the disabling condition pie chart is mental disorders which account for 20% of approved disability cases. If a person wants to get disability benefits due to a mental disability that they have, they must prove that they have “marked” or “extreme” problems in functioning because of their impairment.
According to the SSA, the mental cases that get approved can be grouped into broad categories.
1. Mood Disorder
Many people that qualify for benefits experience panic attacks, anxiety, or depression. In this case, your mental disorder must make undertaking daily life tasks (such as hygiene, chores, or leaving the house) very difficult.If you’re also unable to remember things or concentrate, your case might be viable for benefits from the SSA.
2. Psychotic Problems or Schizophrenia
To prove that a person claiming for benefits is schizophrenic, disability reviewers often focus on whether the person gets hallucinations and has problems thinking in an organized manner.
Cardiac Disorders
Around 10 percent of all claimants get their benefits because of cardiac-related problems. Problems like these many times cause problems in the circulation of blood towards the heart. Some examples of this problem are:
1. Hypertension
If you don’t take the problem of hypertension seriously, it can cause a stroke or other cardiovascular problems that can cause serious heart disease. People who have high blood pressure are evaluated for conditions like a chronic heart illness or coronary artery sickness.
2. Congenital Heart Problem
A person with a congenital heart defect can qualify for SSDI typically after they’ve had surgery for their heart disorder. In some cases, people who get a pacemaker insertion can also be eligible, depending on the condition.
Conclusion
If you are disabled and your long-term disability is a hindrance in your ability to work and make a living for your family, you should apply for disability benefits. Your disability attorney will collect the information that you have and start preparing your claim.
Here at Kahn and Associates we take most cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not require any payment unless we are successful in securing benefits for you.
To learn more about your rights under the Social Security Disability laws call our FREE Disability Hotline at 1-866-4-MY-SSDI (469-7734) to speak with one of our friendly disability rights advocates who, once they obtain all the required information, will evaluate your claim in 60 seconds or less. Alternatively, you can fill out our FREE Disability Case Assessment form and one of our representatives will contact you immediately.
