A common question that pops up in claimants’ minds when filing for SSDI is: what is the most approved disability?
Most people want to learn what their chances of winning disability benefits are.
The truth is that winning a Social Security disability benefits case is no wall in the park.
The process is lengthy and complex. And while some disabilities are more likely to get fast approval, many other factors also come into play.
In this article, our disability law firm in Indianapolis will share a list of the most common disabilities (and those more difficult to prove). Additionally, we’ll discuss how to tell if your chances of winning are good and, if not, what you can do to enhance your case.
Are There Disabilities Easier To Prove Than Others?
To win Social Security disability benefits, you must prove you have a qualifying disability that prevents you from working.
How can you showcase you have a severe impairment? By submitting strong medical evidence.
That’s why medical records are the cornerstone of disability benefits claims.
The more relevant medical proof you can provide, the more likely the Social Security Administration (SSA) will realize the severity of your condition.
The problem is that not all medical conditions have studies or tests you can use to support your claim.
Let’s see this with an example…
Suppose you are filing a claim for SSDI blindness or vision impairment. Thanks to today’s modern vision tests, you can easily prove how far your vision is compromised.
If you meet the SSA’s legal definition of blindness, you will likely not face any trouble securing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Conversely, other health impairments can present some struggles regarding medical records.
For instance, SSDI for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is one of the most difficult conditions to prove. There are no solid and valid medical tests that can clearly state you’re suffering from this impairment. The same happens with many mental health conditions.
As you can see, there are really no easy-pass disabilities. But it is trust that medical proof holds a lot for eight; depending on your condition, you might struggle less or more to prove you have it.
How Does The SSA Define Disability?
Learning how the SSA defines disability and its eligibility criteria will help you understand your chances of winning SSDI benefits.
In short, the SSA considers disability any physical or mental illness that prevents a person from engaging in a substantial gainful activity (SGA).
If you can no longer perform your old job or get a new one, and you can support this with medical evidence, you are entitled to Social Security disability benefits.
These are the SSA eligibility criteria applicants must meet:
- You must have a disability that hinders your ability to work.
- The impairment is expected to last 12 months or longer.
- You have worked long enough to gather sufficient “work credits.”
- You can provide relevant and up-to-date medical records to support your claim.
If you meet those requirements, you can apply for SSDI benefits online or at your local Social Security office.
What Is The Most Approved Disability: Top 10 Approved Conditions
So, what is the most approved disability?
We decided to divide this section into 10 groups. This list is based on the SSA’s annual statistical report. Each group represents a healthy condition category with a significant approval ate:
1. Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue
Musculoskeletal system conditions top the list of the most approved disabilities.
SSDI arthritis is the number one impairment in getting approval, although his group encompasses many other conditions:
- Fibromyalgia
- Spine disorders
- Scoliosis
- Ruptured discs
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Degenerative disc disease
Why are musculoskeletal system and connective tissue impairments the most common in getting green light?
Mainly because these disabilities make it nearly impossible to work; they significantly impact the claimant’s everyday life.
2. Mood Disorders
This category accounts for about 13% of approved Social Security disability claims.
Some commonly approved mood disorders include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Cyclothymic disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Persistent depressive disorder
These conditions alter a person’s mood, making it challenging to manage emotions. They also change one’s behavior, compromising the ability to work or perform routine activities.
A person with a mood disorder might feel intensely sad or irritated or encounter deep feelings of emptiness. Depending on the case and severity of the condition, this can significantly impact an individual’s ability to maintain a job.
3. Intellectual Disabilities
Intellectual disabilities involve limitations in reasoning, problem-solving, and adaptive behavior.
Types of intellectual disabilities include:
- Fragile X syndrome
- Developmental delays
- Down syndrome
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)
These conditions make it difficult for individuals to learn, retain new information, and communicate with others. How intellectual disabilities impact one’s life varies widely, from minor effects to severe effects that need lifelong assistance.
4. Nervous System Disorders
The nervous system is like our command center; it helps all body parts to communicate with each other. It also takes part in our decision-making process.
Our nervous system is made up of:
- Brain
- Spinal cord
- Sensory organs
- Nerves
When any of these are compromised, the body is unable to communicate correctly. This leads to a multitude of potential issues, ranging from minor to severe dysfunctions.
These are a few examples of common nervous system disorders:
- Infections (i.e., meningitis and polio)
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Bell’s palsy
- Brain or spinal cord injuries
5. Circulatory System Conditions
The circularity system (made up of the heart and blood vessels) delivers oxygen and nutrients to each cell in our bodies, keeping our organs healthy and functioning correctly.
Circulatory system conditions can cause a wide range of problems, including heart disease, blood vessel issues, poor circulation, and brain damage.
These are some common circulatory system impairments:
- Heart attack
- Atherosclerosis
- Arrhythmia and dysrhythmia
- Heart failure
- High cholesterol or high blood pressure
- Stroke
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Most people with a circulatory system condition can still work. However, in some cases, the condition severely affects the patient or requires full-time rest until recovery.
To access SSDI, you must prove your impairment prevents you from performing your job.
6. Psychotic Disorders
Psychotic disorders are severe mental illnesses that can cause hallucinations, delusions, inappropriate behavior, social withdrawal, and self-harm, among other effects.
Some common psychotic conditions include:
- Delusional disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
Psychotic disorder’s effects tend to make people lose touch with reality; their thoughts and perceptions are disrupted, making it challenging to discern what is real and what is not.
Those symptoms obstruct a person’s ability to secure and retain a job or perform a “normal” daily routine.
7. Other Mental Disorders
Just as there are many disabilities, to list them all in this article, there are many mental disorders that qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
Other mental disorders make up 4% of health conditions for which people are receiving SSDI or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Have you been diagnosed with a mental disorder, and you don’t see it on this list? We advise you to contact a professional disability lawyer. An attorney will quickly tell you if you have a qualifying disability and your chances of winning SSDI.
8. Injuries
Physical injuries, whether at the workplace or not, can often lead to disability benefits.
A sudden accident can result in an injury drastically changing someone’s life. The person might be unable to work or get a new job.
To be eligible, your injury must be severe enough to stop you from performing your job for at least a year.
Have you suffered an injury due to your time in military service? Then, you are likely entitled to veteran’s disability benefits. This specific benefit is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The process is very similar to SSDI, except for a few minor changes.
A VA disability attorney can help you understand the process and secure the benefits you deserve.
9. Organic Mental Disorders
Organic mental disorders (also called chronic organic brain syndromes) are brain affections that result in severe psychological or behavioral issues.
Examples of organic mental disorders include:
- Dementia
- Amnesia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Delirium
The symptoms of organic mental disorders can include brain function loss, confusion, memory loss, emotional disturbance, vision problems, sleep disturbance, and more.
The effects can be temporary or permanent; if they are expected to last 12 months or longer, you might be eligible for SSDI benefits.
10. Neoplasms
The final impairment from this list is neoplasm. Commonly referred to as tumors, a neoplasm is an uncontrolled, abnormal growth in the body. These growths or lumps can affect your organs and become life-threatening.
Neoplasm is caused by cells that divide more quickly than usual. Lumps can begin pre-cancerous or cancerous. If the tumor continues to grow uncontrollably, it can spread to other parts of the body, becoming more critical.
Some common types of neoplasms include:
- Fibromas
- Adenomas
- Lipomas
- Hemangiomas
Malignant neoplasm, known as cancer, is a qualifying SSDI disability.
What Happens if Your Disability Is Not On The List?
The previous list is just a record of the disabilities with the highest SSDI approval rate.
Most of those impairments are on that list because they prevent individuals from working, are expected to last at least 12 months, or are prevalent health conditions.
That doesn’t mean other medical conditions are unlikely to qualify or won’t allow you to secure disability benefits.
As long as your disability meets the SSA’s eligibility criteria and you build a strong case, you can get the financial assistance you deserve.
Signs You Have Good Chances of Securing SSDI
Do you want to be sure you have a good chance of winning disability benefits?
While each case is unique, some signs tell a claimant is a good prospect for SSDI benefits:
You Meet the SSA’s Definition of Disability
To qualify for SSDI or SSI, you must have a disability under the SSA’s terms.
Above, we detailed every eligibility criteria claimants must meet to secure disability benefits.
You Have Sufficient Medical Evidence
The SSA employees will review the medical evidence you provide to confirm you have a qualifying disability.
The more relevant and up-to-date medical proof you submit, the more you increase your chances of winning.
You Never Stopped Seeing Your Doctor
When a claimant stops attending medical appointments or abandons treatment, the SSA might conclude that the claimant has recovered and no longer needs financial assistance.
This mistake can quickly cost you your benefits.
On the other hand, if you attended every doctor’s appointment and adhered to your medical treatment, the SSA will understand you are doing your best to recover.
The SSA favors claimants who show they are making an effort to get better and go back to work.
You Can’t Do Your Old Work or Get a New One
If you are still working, your chances of securing SSDI are meager.
In case you can’t perform your old job, the SSA will evaluate your work experience, education, and skills to determine whether you can get a new type of job.
When a claimant can no longer work or get another job due to their disability, it’s easier for them to secure benefits.
You Are 50 or Older
While there isn’t a required age to apply for SSDI, the approval rate by age favors individuals who are 50 or older.
If you check all the mentioned signs and are over 50, your chances of winning SSDI are pretty high.
Looking for Disability Law Attorneys?
We hope this article answers your question, “What is the most approved disability?”
Some impairments have a higher approval rate than others. However, that doesn’t mean that if your disability is not on the list, you can’t secure benefits.
Meeting the eligibility requirements and preparing a solid case is all it takes to win your claim.
Would you like to know your chances of winning SSDI? Don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation with our team. Our dedicated disability lawyers will review your case and answer all your questions.
