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To Questions About Your Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Benefits

What Are Common Illnesses And Injuries In SSD Claims?

Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits provide millions of people with the income and health care they need to get by. Almost any injury or illness can count as a disability if it’s chronic and significant enough. However, qualifying for SSD – and proving that your condition is a disability – can be an uphill battle.

At Shawn Taylor, PLLC, we help people with all kinds of illnesses and injuries get the disability benefits they deserve. Our lawyer, Shawn Taylor, draws on more than 30 years of experience to build successful claims for clients. Based in Charleston, we work with people from all walks of life across West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.

Common Injuries In SSD Cases

Many types of injuries can lead to long-term impairments that jeopardize your ability to work. Some of the most common disabling injuries in SSD claims include:

Back injuries: Chronic back pain, lower back pain, problems with the lumbar spine (especially L5), disc herniation, ruptured discs and disc fusion are just a few of the back issues that can majorly impact your life. These injuries can make it hard to lift, walk, stand or sit at a desk for lengthy periods of time. They can limit your ability to perform many other job duties.
Nerve injuries: Nerve damage and neurological and neuromuscular disorders – such as carpal – may have a debilitating impact.
Head and brain injuries: Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries can take a big toll on your cognitive function. They can also impact your mobility, speech, vision, hearing and other senses.

Common Illnesses In SSD Cases

Many chronic and terminal illnesses may also qualify as disabilities for purposes of SSD benefits. The most common include:

Heart disease: Heart issues of any kind may require significant restrictions that make it difficult or impossible to work.
Mental health disorders: Severe mental health conditions – such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder – can qualify as disabilities if they limit your ability to work.
Neurological disorders: Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and other neurological illnesses are often grounds for SSD claims.
Chronic headaches: Severe and chronic headaches such as migraines may qualify as disabilities.
Other chronic diseases: Cancer, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, respiratory illnesses and numerous other diseases are often grounds for disability claims.

Frequently Asked Questions About SSD For Mental Health Conditions

It is possible to receive SSD benefits for mental health conditions. However, qualifying for SSD benefits for a mental health disorder can be an uphill battle. With the right evidence and support from our attorney at Shawn Taylor, PLLC, we can help prepare you for what to expect and how to submit a comprehensive application. Here are some frequently asked questions about SSD for mental health conditions:

What mental health conditions qualify for SSD benefits?

Many mental health disorders qualify applicants for SSD benefits. These mental health conditions can impact an individual’s ability to work and daily living. Some common types of mental health conditions that are eligible for SSD benefits include:

Anxiety: An individual’s life and ability to work may be impacted because of the symptoms caused by anxiety, such as heart palpitations, irritability and low mood.
Depression: An individual’s everyday routine may suffer from severe mood swings, low energy and negative thoughts.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): An incident may have caused an individual to suffer suicidal thoughts, flashbacks, social anxiety and depression.
Alzheimer’s disease: An individual may suffer from memory loss, confusion and behavioral changes because of this neurological disease.
Parkinson’s disease: An individual may suffer from a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable tremors, muscle stiffness and physical impairment.
Schizophrenia: An individual may suffer from hallucinations, catatonic behaviors and disorganized speech, which can cause a significant decline in functioning and additional neurological and physical disabilities.

These are not the only conditions that may qualify. Our attorney can help individuals with mental health disorders apply for SSD benefits.

How can I prove my mental health condition?

Unlike a more physically visible condition like a back or neck injury, proving that you have a mental health condition may be more difficult. Medical documentation from a qualified practitioner, therapist or psychiatrist may be required to show that an individual is suffering from a mental condition that severely impacts their daily life.

Does the SSA cover drug or alcohol addiction?

Although addictions are considered mental health disorders by medical professionals, SSA does not recognize them as disabling conditions. However, you may still qualify for benefits despite an addiction, so long as your mental health disorder would independently be disabling without the complication of drug or alcohol use.

Wondering If Your Medical Condition Qualifies For Disability Benefits?

Talk to our attorney during a free 30-minute consultation. He can answer your questions and provide guidance on whether you may have a claim. Please contact our firm online or by phone at 304-932-4619. We can arrange for either an in-person or virtual conference over Zoom or Teams, whichever you prefer. Virtual technology will also let you attend court hearings without having to drive to the courthouse.