The Social Security Administration maintains a list of impairments that typically qualify a claimant to receive disability benefits. While the list is extensive, some qualifying conditions are more common than others. Generally, the most common conditions can be categorized by musculoskeletal, mental and cardiovascular disorders.
Should you have questions about receiving disability benefits for any of the conditions listed here, or any other disabling condition you suffer from, contact Washington state disability attorney George Andre Fields at Invictus Legal Services. As a sole practitioner, George is able to provide your claim with the personalized attention it deserves to ensure you are paid the benefits you need to focus on your health.
Disability Benefits for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Severe Neck, Back and Knee Pain
Common qualifying musculoskeletal disorders include spinal concerns that often manifest into severe back pain, as well as arthritis. Severe back pain can be debilitating and can affect every aspect of your life. Receiving disability benefits for disorders of the spine, like spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, as well as torn ligaments and sciatica, may be possible should you meet specified criteria.
Arthritis is the inflammation of joints and a common health concern among Americans. There are different types of arthritis, but all include pain, swelling, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion as possible symptoms. Typically, the symptoms associated with arthritis worsen with age and qualify for disability benefits. If you are over age 50 and suffering from a musculoskeletal disorder, you may have a better chance of proving that you cannot return to work or perform other work on a sustained basis.
Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Disorders
Heart disease is a blanket term that refers to a variety of cardiovascular disorders, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, congenital heart disease, peripheral artery disease, and stroke. These and other cardiovascular impairments may qualify you for disability benefits.
Disability for Depression and Other Mental Disorders
Depression is a group of conditions that negatively affect the way a person thinks, feels, and handles everyday activities. A person suffering from severe depression may be irritable, persistently sad or anxious, or lack any emotions. Other common mental disorders include bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. George can provide you with the experienced advocacy it takes to win cases involving severe mental impairments.
Top Reasons Disability Claims Are Denied
After becoming disabled, most people, especially those who have worked and paid into Social Security, believe that filing for and receiving disability should be a straightforward process. Unfortunately, this could not be further from the truth. The Social Security Administration denies many disability claims. Some of the more common denial reasons include:
- Applicant is still employed
- Condition that is the basis for the claim has not lasted, and is not expected to last, a minimum of 12 months
- Waiting too long to apply for disability
- Failure to take prescribed medications
- Failure to follow treating physician’s orders
- Lack of medical evidence
- Applicant’s income
- Applicant has already been denied benefits
- Applicant’s failure to cooperate
Do You Qualify for Disability? Call Our Washington State Disability Attorney
If you suffer with a disabling condition and want to know how to receive disability compensation, or if you have been denied disability for your condition, call our office for a free consultation today with a Washington state disability attorney.
Our firm is conveniently located in Seattle, Washington, and we represent clients in Seattle, Tacoma Everett and throughout the State of Washington. If meeting at our office is not convenient for you, we are available to meet you in your home or at another mutually convenient location. Contact us online or call us at 800-567-1556 to schedule your appointment today.