Are You Disabled?
Provided by an Experienced Baltimore Disability Benefits Representative
If you are suffering from a medical condition that has rendered you unable to work, you may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits. For more information as to whether you are considered “disabled” under Social Security, contact a representative at the National Benefits Center, Inc. We have trained professionals who can answer any questions you may have and help you with the application process. We don’t turn anyone away. Rather, we make it our goal to help everyone understand the often complex Social Security process.
The Definition of Disability Under Social Security
You are considered disabled under Social Security, if you are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last more than one year or result in death. Only individuals suffering from a total disability are eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. There are no partial or short-term disability benefits available under Social Security.
To determine whether your medical condition is considered a disability, the following five-factor analysis is applied:
- Are you working?
- Is your medical condition considered severe?
- Is your medical condition listed on the Social Security Administration’s List of Impairments?
- Can you perform the work you did before?
- Can you perform any other types of work?
Medical Conditions that are Considered Disabling Impairments
The Social Security Administration publishes a List of Impairments. This list includes all conditions that are automatically considered disabling conditions. The following conditions are included on the List of Impairments:
- Disorders of the musculoskeletal system, including certain disorders of the spine, amputation and fracture of an upper extremity
- Respiratory system disorders, including cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and a lung transplant
- Conditions of the digestive system, including chronic liver failure, short bowel syndrome (SBS) and certain inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease
- Blindness
- Hearing problems that are not restorable by use of a hearing aid
- Severe anxiety disorders
Special Rules Concerning Asthma
For asthma to be considered a disabling impairment, you must have one of the following:
- Chronic asthmatic bronchitis
- Asthma attacks requiring physician intervention at least every two months or six times a year in spite of prescribed treatment
Each time an asthma attack requires in-patient hospitalization for a period greater than 24 hours, it counts as two asthma attacks for purposes of meeting the above requirement.
Fibromyalgia is a Disabling Condition
Fibromyalgia is a serious condition that may be disabling for certain patients. The cause of Fibromyalgia is not entirely understood, and, as a result, many patients are incorrectly diagnosed with the disorder. In the past, the Social Security Administration had been wary of categorizing Fibromyalgia as a disability. However, in 2012, the SSA changed its policy to reflect the fact that Fibromyalgia is a medically determinable impairment (MDI) and lists the disease as a basis for a finding of disability.
If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, the following surrounding circumstances may strengthen your claim:
- Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia has been made in conjunction with diagnosis of another musculoskeletal disorder
- Your diagnosis was made by a specialist, such as an Orthopedist or Rheumatologist, rather than by an internist or general practitioner
Even if your disorder does not meet these conditions, it may still be considered a disabling condition under Social Security disability requirements. For more information about whether you have a legitimate Baltimore fibromyalgia disability claim, contact a representative at the National Benefits Center, Inc.
Other Potentially Disabling Conditions
While not included on the List of Impairments, after a thorough investigation of your medical record, the following conditions may also be considered disabling conditions:
- Chronic back pains
- Migraines
- Depression
- Knee Pain
- Congestive heart failure
- Lyme Disease
- Diabetes
- HIV+
- Epilepsy
- Bipolar disorder
- Cancer
- Renal Failure
- Anxiety
*IF YOU DO NOT SEE YOUR DISABLING CONDITION ON THIS LIST, CONTACT ME. YOU MAY STILL BE ENTITLED TO BENEFITS!
If you feel that any of the above conditions have rendered you disabled, contact a Baltimore fibromyalgia disability representative at the National Benefits Center, Inc. for assistance. Our representatives are specially trained to assist disabled individuals with figuring out whether they may have a disability and whether they meet the eligibility requirements for Social Security disability benefits. We won’t turn anyone away, and we will do what we can to make this process easier for you.
