Every day, people are diagnosed with serious medical conditions. Others become unable to work due to injuries or because of existing disabilities. As people search for ways to support themselves and their families, they may look to the Social Security Administration (SSA). In fact, Social Security Disability Insurance provides support for people with disabilities and medical conditions that prevent them from working. It can be hard, though, to understand how the SSA determines that a medical condition is disabling. One tool they use is the SSDI List of Impairments.
A Comprehensive Guide
There are two major divisions on the List of Impairments: one list for adult impairments and one for children’s impairments.
The adult list (Part A) is broken into 14 categories:
1.00 Musculoskeletal System
2.00 Special Senses and Speech
3.00 Respiratory Disorders
4.00 Cardiovascular System
5.00 Digestive System
6.00 Genitourinary Disorders
7.00 Hematological Disorders
8.00 Skin Disorders
9.00 Endocrine Disorders
10.00 Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems
11.00 Neurological Disorders
12.00 Mental Disorders
13.00 Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)
14.00 Immune System Disorders.
The childhood listing (Part B) is broken into 15 categories. Many of these are the same as the adult list, with the following addition:
100.00 Low Birth Weight and Failure to Thrive
Each category contains sections and subsections describing impairments in greater detail.
How the List is Used
By law under Title II and Title XVI, adult disability is defined as:
the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
To be considered disabled, children under age 18 must have:
a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that causes marked and severe functional limitations, and that can be expected to cause death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
The impairment list describes most permanent or potentially fatal impairments. As an application for SSDI benefits is processed, SSA staff will use the criteria contained in the impairment list to evaluate the applicant’s claims.
Sound Complicated? You Don’t Have to Do It Alone.
The application process can be long and frustrating, so you need someone on your side. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ experience. For a free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
