The ssa uses its own medical guide, colloquially known as the blue book, to determine whether or not your unique osteoarthritis diagnosis will qualify for social security disability benefits. Obesity, when established by objective medical evidence signs, laboratory findings, or both from an acceptable medical source ams, is an mdi. The blue book is the manual used by the social security administration ssa to define what qualifies a disabling condition for disability benefits. In the blue book, the ssa provides a list of impairments and the criteria claimants must meet to qualify for disability benefits. This site is a personal, private website that is published, edited, and maintained by former caseworker and former disability claims examiner, tim moore, who was interviewed by the new york times on the topic of social security disability and ssi benefits in an article.
This ssr provides guidance on how we establish that a person has a medically determinable impairment of obesity and how we evaluate obesity in disability claims under titles ii and xvi of the social security. The american medical association as declared that morbid obesity is a disease. The blue book is what adjudicators refer to when processing a claim for social security disability benefits. Obesity and social security disability claims youtube. Obesity was removed from the ssa list of disabling conditions blue book in 1999. Ssa used to allow individuals to qualify for social security disability benefits purely on the basis of morbid obesity. The social security administration ssa defines obesity as a chronic and complex disease that is characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat. Claim examiners use this form to evaluate people whose conditions arent listed in the ssa blue book. The ssa recognizes spondylosis in its blue book under section 1. If you are suffering from one of these conditions, then. Benefits are awarded based on the severity of the condition which the claimant is suffering from.
Medical conditions for disability approval disability. Obesity and social security disability disability benefits help. This edition of disability evaluation under social security, also known as the blue. The book breaks up impairments into 14 common categories and each category has its own specifications for qualification. The blue book lists specific criteria that under which claimants who suffer from a disabling condition can qualify for social security disability. There is no listing in for obesity and therefore no way to automatically medically qualify for benefits, but this doesnt mean you cant get approved under a blue. The ssa has a book which contains a list of medical conditions which automatically qualify for disability benefits. We provide guidance in this ssr on how we establish that a person has an mdi of obesity, and how we evaluate obesity in disability claims. The social security administration recognizes hundreds of different illnesses and conditions that qualify an american to receive social security disability. Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by periods of complete inability to control respiratory muscles while sleeping. The social security administration created a document known as the blue book, which acts as a disability guide for ssa representatives to reference to while determining if a claimant qualifies for disability benefits.
This essentially means that there are no objective, measurable standards by. If it does, youll automatically be approved for disability benefits. The combined effects of obesity with a respiratory disorder can be greater than the. There are 14 different categories of medical conditions that the ssa uses to distinguish. Disturbance of this system can be a major cause of disability if you have obesity. Social security separates impairments into 14 categories. The rfc form details how your physical, mental and emotional health limits your ability to work. Someone with a body mass index bmi of 30 and over is considered obese, and an individual with a bmi of 40 or more is considered morbidly obese.
Sleep apnea can occur due to a rare disconnect between the muscles and the brain, or due to an obstruction of the windpipe during sleep. Medical criteria needed to qualify with osteoarthritis. You may be eligible for social security disability benefits, but only if it causes or contributes to listed impairments that social security already awards benefits for, or if your obesity severely limits your functioning. While social security will still consider an individuals obesity and the extent to which it limits daytoday functioning, in practice, the removal of the obesity listing has made it more difficult for obese. If you need help with your disability claim we are social security disability lawyers who can help so call us at 18775275529. Prior to the year 1999, obesity had its own listing in the blue book. In order to evaluate the terms of disabilities, the social security administration ssa, refers to what they call the blue book which serves as a manual. Disability evaluation under social security listing of impairments adult listings part a the following sections contain medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over and that may apply to the evaluation of impairments in children under age 18 if the disease processes have a similar effect on adults. The requirements for each disorder are listed in the social securitys blue book, which you can consult on the ssa s website at any time. For the sake of clarity, is not the social security administration, nor is it associated or affiliated with ssa. How obesity is defined for social security disability.
The blue book is a master list of all the impairments the ssa deems eligible for disability benefits. The social security administration ssa defines obesity as a chronic and. Obesity can cause severe health problems that may qualify you for social security. Obsolete versions of part a, the listing of impairments ssa. As a person ages, discs of the spine gradually weaken, become dehydrated and stiffen. Disability evaluation under social security blue book september 2008 this edition of disability evaluation under social security, also known as the blue. Today, however, you cannot qualify for disability benefits on. Social security disability benefits for a thyroid disorder. Social security disability benefits are not granted simply because of obesity. This guide, called the blue book, separates disabling conditions into different.
How to get disability for obesity dag in knoxville tn. When an applicant has a condition that is listed in the blue book, it is much easier to qualify for benefits than if their disability is not included in the publication. Diabetes and social security disability disability. If you are applying for ssd under a listing, you need to meet or equal the requirements. Social security disability conditions disability care center. The blue book s official title is disability evaluation under social security, and it contains a wealth of information about disabling impairments and the ssa s criteria to help those applying for benefits. Disorders of the spine, which refers to it as herniated nucleus pulposus. If your impairments are similar to a listing in the social security blue book, but they dont meet all of the requirements in the listing, you may be able to receive benefits if your impairment can equal the listing. If your condition is not listed in the social security administrations bluebook, you may still qualify if your condition prevents you from achieving sustainable gainful activity sga and you. If your medical records meet the ssa s breast cancer listing, then youre medically eligible for benefits.
Obesity is a medically determinable impairment that is often associated with respiratory disorders. Morbid obesity and disability benefits social security. Yet social security has removed obesity from its blue book. With such a wide variation of disorders and conditions, the social security administration created a guide for their own representatives and other physicians to determine if an applicant potentially qualifies for disability benefits. It enlists the set of documents and impairments necessary to be produced as proof to justify your application. The ssa s blue book is a list of qualifying medical conditions the organization considers disabling and eligible for benefits. Spondylosis and qualifying for ss disability benefits. It covers a lot of the recommended medical evidence, as well, and it can be extremely helpful. Less than two years ago the ssa eliminated its blue book listings involving endocrine disorders. Therefore, your condition may also be assessed under the cardiovascular system 4. Then scroll down until you find your particular impairment. Does morbid obesity qualify for social security disability. Gerd and social security disability disability benefits.
This ssr provides guidance on how we establish that a person has a medically determinable impairment of obesity and how we evaluate obesity in disability claims under titles ii and xvi of the social security act. Book, has been specially prepared to provide physicians and other health. While obesity has been removed from the blue book you can still be awarded disability benefits for obesity, if. When evaluating ssd applications the ssa uses the blue book. Bone spurs, or abnormal growths called osteophytes. No one can deny that obesity is a looming problem in the united states. Social security representatives in the field offices usually obtain applications for disability benefits in person, by telephone, by mail, or by filing online. The ssas impairment listing manual, also known as the blue book, contains a list of these conditions. When your disability application is received, the ssa will determine whether your medical evidence satisfies the requirements for any disorder found in the ssa s listing of impairments the blue book. The ssa will compare your medical records with the standard disability listing for breast cancer that appears in the blue book.
The blue book s official title is disability evaluation under social security. Until 1999, obesity was one of the impairments listed in social securitys blue book, meaning that a person would automatically qualify for disability benefits if he or she met the requirements of the obesity listing. Revisions to rules regarding the evaluation of medical evidence. Ssa published social security ruling ssr 192p, evaluating cases involving obesity on may 20, 2019. Obesity may affect the cardiovascular system because of the increased workload the additional body mass places on the heart. However, migraine can be symptoms of other health problems that are listed in the blue book. All conditions found in the blue book contain specific medical criteria and symptoms that you must have evidence of. This book is called as the blue book and if a claimant has a condition which is a part of this blue book then the claimant automatically qualifies for disability benefits provided he meets those requirements listed in the blue book. To qualify for disability benefits, you will need to meet several requirements listed in section 3. Obesity makes it harder for the chest and lungs to expand, which can compromise the ability of the respiratory system to supply adequate oxygen to the body. Until 1999, obesity was one of the impairments listed in social securitys blue book, meaning that a person would. Obesity is defined by the social security administration ssa as a chronic disease that is characterized by excessive buildup of body fat. For more information, go to our section on how social securitys disability listings work.
The ssa publishes a book that contains a list of impairments, and if you meet the. Social security disability and morbid obesity disabilitysecrets. Blue book listing for herniated discs herniated discs are listed under section 1. Obese adults are those with a body mass index bmi of 30 and over. How someone with chronic migraine can qualify for social. The social security administration ssa maintains a listing of medical impairments known as the blue book that automatically qualify you. Listing of impairments overview disability claims process video series.
The combined effects of obesity with musculoskeletal impairments can be greater than the effects of each of the. How to use the blue book to get approved for disability. Obesity is a medically determinable impairment that is often associated with disorders of the cardiovascular system. Digestive system illnesses for social security disability. To view a particular condition click on the category you think that medical condition would be in. To qualify for social security disability benefits a person must meet the requirements of the listing or prove that they are unable to work. The ssa may also evaluate your limitations based on body systems affected by your copd. Sleepiness or low energy trouble sleeping recurrent awakenings. I have 3 conditions where medi al records as well as dr completed rfc that meet criteria of blue book for osteonecrosis bone death dr stated i cant walk more than 50 feet without stopping, cant stand longer than 5 minutes, cant use public transportation alone, cant return to old job nor do any type of work. This essentially means that there are no objective, measurable standards by which the ssa can determine that you are disabled as a direct result of your disability. The blue book is the social security administrations ssas disability.
Social security disabling conditions disability benefits center. Sleep apnea and social security disability disability. How to qualify for ssd benefits with a herniated disc. Getting social security disability for obesity in raleigh. The social security blue book is the social security administrations ssa listing of disabling impairments.
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