One way to get Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) is to offer proof you suffer from a medical condition in the list of impairments. The SSD list of impairments is an organized collection of medical impairments for which the SSA has provided specific approval criteria. Under each listing of a medical condition in the list, also known as the Blue Book, the SSA provides the necessary criteria to get approved for that condition.
Meeting all the criteria of a Blue Book listing is the most straightforward way to get approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The criteria can be exceedingly difficult to meet, as the SSA requires extensive and highly specific medical evidence and documentation that is not always easy to come by. Accordingly, many disability recipients do not get approved with Blue Book criteria. They instead prove to the SSA that their condition keeps them from working.
For help understanding the Blue Book, call the Disability Advantage Group, today at 865-566-0800.
What Conditions Are in the Blue Book?
The Blue Book features hundreds of medical conditions, grouped under the body system they impact. For instance, it includes:
- Musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis and certain back problems;
- Respiratory ailments, such as chronic pulmonary insufficiency and emphysema;
- Cardiovascular disorders, like coronary artery disease and chronic heart disease;
- Digestive disorders, such as liver disease and Crohn’s disease;
- Blood disorders, which include anemia and polycythemia;
- Endocrine disorders, including thyroid conditions; and
- Mental impairments, such as bipolar disorder or a personality disorder.
What If My Condition Is Not Listed in the Blue Book?
There are thousands of medical conditions that can cause disability and prevent a person from working. The vast majority are not in the Blue Book. You can qualify for benefits for a non-Blue Book condition by providing evidence to the SSA that you are unable to do substantially gainful activity. We can help.
What Evidence Do I Need to Win Benefits?
To win benefits by showing you meet a Blue Book listing, you must prove your condition meets every criterion in the listing. Typically this requires extensive medical evidence that you may or may not be able to obtain. We can let you know the chances of getting approved based on the Blue Book listing.
Otherwise, a highly effective piece of evidence is the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) test, which your treating physician completes. This test offers an objective analysis of the functional limitations your condition causes. A thorough and properly filled out RFC is often the centerpiece of a successful disability application.
We can supplement your RFC with supporting evidence, such as doctors’ statements and letters from your friends, family, and coworkers that detail how they have seen your condition impact you.
We can help you figure out exactly what evidence you need to submit a winning claim.
Call 865-566-0800 for a Free Disability Attorney Consultation.
At the Disability Advantage Group, our focus is on disability law. We want to help you get the benefits you deserve. To schedule your free consultation today, call us at 865-566-0800.