Social Security Disability: Check the List of Impairments to See if You Qualify
May 3, 2012 By Brent Adams & Associates
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The Social Security Administration uses the List of Impairments – or Blue Book – to determine whether or not an applicant is disabled. Consult a North Carolina disability attorney for guidance. The Social Security disability List of Impairments (also known as the “Blue Book”) plays an important role in the disability determination process.
In order to receive disability benefits, applicants must meet certain criteria, and part of that criteria includes demonstrating that an applicant is suffering from an impairment to such a degree of severity that it prohibits him or her from working.
Because of the vast number of ailments and afflictions that can prevent a person from engaging in gainful employment, the Blue Book divides ailments into different sections for each body system and lists the conditions and their symptoms.
Body Systems Listed in the Blue Book by the Social Security Administration
In general, the Blue Book helps examiners determine whether or not an individual meets the standards of the Social Security’s definition of disability by the list of impairments. The Blue Book is composed of 2 main sections, one for adult disabilities, and another for childhood disabilities. Each section contains subsections covering the different disability types, separated into the following:
• musculoskeletal system;
• special senses;
• respiratory system;
• immune system disorders;
• neoplastic diseases (cancer);
• multiple body systems;
• neurological disorders;
• hematological disorders;
• skin disorders;
• digestive system;
• genitourinary system;
• cardiovascular system; and
• mental disorders.
As a note, Endocrine disorders were removed in mid-2011, but there are ways of having certain disorders that were listed under the endocrine system re-categorized under other body systems. For example, if diabetes should cause neuropathy, it may affect an individual’s ability to use his or her hands or legs. Although peripheral neuropathy may not be listed, if it prevents someone from doing anything less than sedentary work, that may warrant a disabled finding.
Other Ways to Get Your Claim Approved
Injuries, conditions, and illnesses have different degrees of seriousness, and the Blue Book establishes the requirements for how severe a symptom, disease, or disability must be in order for the applicant to qualify for assistance.
While demonstrating that your impairment meets the full requirements of the disorder listed in the Blue Book will almost guarantee that your claim will be approved, when that isn’t possible, you must demonstrate that your disability prevents you from working any gainful job. If you are incapable of performing work that isn’t wholly sedentary, you will likely receive a disabled rating and be eligible for your benefits. For more help, schedule a meeting with a disability advocate.
Getting Help from a North Carolina Social Security Disability Attorney
If you or someone you love is suffering from a debilitating condition and is unable to work, or has already been rejected for Social Security disability benefits, consider scheduling a free consultation and evaluation with a disability advocate.
More than 50% of initial applications for benefits are denied, and more than 80% of reconsideration requests are denied as well, which means that if you are still without benefits after 2 attempts to have your case looked at, you should hire a disability advocate to investigate and argue your case through the appeals processes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brent Adams & Associates
Brent Adams has been active in the the NC legal community throughout his entire career as a trial lawyer. He served on the Boards of the Wake County Bar Association and the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, eventually elected Secretary-Treasurer and Vice President of each, respectively. Adams was chosen to serve as the State Representative to the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the largest trial lawyer organization in the world.
Copyright Brent Adams & Associates
More information about Brent Adams & Associates
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Because of the vast number of ailments and afflictions that can prevent a person from engaging in gainful employment, the Blue Book divides ailments into different sections for each body system and lists the conditions and their symptoms.
Body Systems Listed in the Blue Book by the Social Security Administration
In general, the Blue Book helps examiners determine whether or not an individual meets the standards of the Social Security’s definition of disability by the list of impairments. The Blue Book is composed of 2 main sections, one for adult disabilities, and another for childhood disabilities. Each section contains subsections covering the different disability types, separated into the following:
• musculoskeletal system;
• special senses;
• respiratory system;
• immune system disorders;
• neoplastic diseases (cancer);
• multiple body systems;
• neurological disorders;
• hematological disorders;
• skin disorders;
• digestive system;
• genitourinary system;
• cardiovascular system; and
• mental disorders.
As a note, Endocrine disorders were removed in mid-2011, but there are ways of having certain disorders that were listed under the endocrine system re-categorized under other body systems. For example, if diabetes should cause neuropathy, it may affect an individual’s ability to use his or her hands or legs. Although peripheral neuropathy may not be listed, if it prevents someone from doing anything less than sedentary work, that may warrant a disabled finding.
Other Ways to Get Your Claim Approved
Injuries, conditions, and illnesses have different degrees of seriousness, and the Blue Book establishes the requirements for how severe a symptom, disease, or disability must be in order for the applicant to qualify for assistance.
While demonstrating that your impairment meets the full requirements of the disorder listed in the Blue Book will almost guarantee that your claim will be approved, when that isn’t possible, you must demonstrate that your disability prevents you from working any gainful job. If you are incapable of performing work that isn’t wholly sedentary, you will likely receive a disabled rating and be eligible for your benefits. For more help, schedule a meeting with a disability advocate.
Getting Help from a North Carolina Social Security Disability Attorney
If you or someone you love is suffering from a debilitating condition and is unable to work, or has already been rejected for Social Security disability benefits, consider scheduling a free consultation and evaluation with a disability advocate.
More than 50% of initial applications for benefits are denied, and more than 80% of reconsideration requests are denied as well, which means that if you are still without benefits after 2 attempts to have your case looked at, you should hire a disability advocate to investigate and argue your case through the appeals processes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brent Adams & Associates
Brent Adams has been active in the the NC legal community throughout his entire career as a trial lawyer. He served on the Boards of the Wake County Bar Association and the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, eventually elected Secretary-Treasurer and Vice President of each, respectively. Adams was chosen to serve as the State Representative to the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the largest trial lawyer organization in the world.
Copyright Brent Adams & Associates
More information about Brent Adams & Associates
View all articles published by Brent Adams & Associates
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
