Is bicuspid aortic valve or carpal tunnel considered a disability?Is bicuspid aortic valve or carpal tunnel considered a disability? Social Security does not award disability on the basis of having any condition, really. It depends on the extent to which a condition, or conditions (there are usually several conditions listed on a disability claim), limits a person from being able to engage in work activity that provides a substantial and gainful income. In other words, what functional limitatonis does a person have that reduce the ability to work? What is a functional limitation by the way? The phrase means what you are not able to do any longer because of your medical condition. Limitations can be physical or mental such as impaired ability to lift, carry, stand, sit, bend, hear, smell, concentrate, remember, etcetera. A disability examiner, or Administrative law judge for a hearing, will be paying attention to your medical record evidence to determine 1. how you are limited and 2. how your limitations reduce your ability to work. So, this is why a disability examiner will usually have to examine a person's work history as well as their medical records. The medical records may help reveal (in this case, as they pertain to bicuspid aortic valve or carpal tunnel syndrome) in which specific ways the person is limited in their ability to do normal daily activities. The work history will give indications of what a person needed to be capable of doing on a daily basis in order to do their past work. If the functional limitations wipe out the ability to do past work, then the question is "does this individual have the necessary skills and education, given their limitations and age, to switch to some type of other work. If they can't do other work, they may be considered disabled and be awarded benefits. For more on how the disability decision gets made, See: How the Decision on a Disability Claim is made. For a more lengthy explanation of how a disability examiner makes a decision on a claim: The Disability Approval Process and how your case gets decided. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Will Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and arthritis in my hands qualify for disability? Can your benefits be taken away if Your Case Gets Reviewed? Disability back pay and Children over 18 Is Social Security Disability and SSI temporary or permanent? How long does it take to get a decision on a disability appeal? What Should I do if I'm denied at an disability hearing? Can you get disability for migraines? Can I get disability for Sciatica? Medical Records for a Disability Hearing can include your doctor's statement What type of back problems qualify for disability? Can I get disability for Rheumatoid arthritis? Which medical conditions will social security recognize as a disability? Is bicuspid aortic valve or carpal tunnel considered a disability? |
