What medical conditions can I get disability for?"Has Anyone Ever Received Social Security Disability for this condition?" I tend to come across statements like this in forums that are devoted to the discussion of various medical impairments. Has anyone ever received disability for PCOS?, Is chronic fatigue considered a disability?, Does social security award disability benefits for autism?, Is it possible to get SSI for attention deficit?.... The list, of course, goes on and on. It's understandable that people would wonder about their potential eligibility for disability benefits on the basis of having a specific condition. However, the entire Social Security Disability process is based on functionality. And what that means is this: the condition you have is not the real issue for rendering a decision on a disability case. The real issue behind each disability determination is what a claimant is still capable of doing despite the effects of their illness. In social security lingo, what a person is still capable of doing, despite their condition, is known as residual functional capacity. And when a claimant's medical records are gathered and evaluated, the entire point is to determine what the person is still capable of doing (despite their illness). The evaluation of a claimant's medical records is distilled onto something called an RFC form that addresses how much weight a claimant is capable of lifting, how long a claimant is capable of standing of sitting, whether or not a claimant can crouch , or stoop, or reach overhead, and a host of other restrictions that might apply. What is the purpose of completing this RFC form? To allow the disability examiner who is working on the case to determine whether or not the claimant is capable of performing their past work or is capable of performing some other type of work. The ability, or inability, to engage in work activity is really at the heart of the social security definition of disability. And it is for this reason that the specific physical or mental condition that a person has is only as important in terms of how it limits their ability to work. And, for this reason, it is concievable that nearly any condition could potentially result in an approval of disability benefits. 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: What can I expect from a Social Security Mental Examination or Evaluation? Filing for disability with obesity A disability attorney and your medical records at a hearing Does it take the right doctor and letter to win disability? Medically disabled for Social Security Disability Applying for disability with depression How do you Apply for SSI? Forms for Social Security Disability Social Security Disability Criteria Denied disability by ALJ How to File for SSI Eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare? How to get disability with arthritis, osteoarthritis How to file for disability in Oklahoma |
