Slidell SSDI Qualifying Conditions Lawyers
Helping Slidell workers and children qualify for SSDI
At the Law Office of James A. Graham, our SSDI and SSI lawyers in New Orleans assist applicants in demonstrating their eligibility for benefits. Our lawyers thoroughly examine the SSA's criteria for each type of impairment in consultation with your physicians. We collaborate with your doctors to compile detailed medical reports aligning with these criteria. If your impairment is not listed, we work with your medical team to establish the comparability of your impairment or demonstrate that you have a medical condition preventing you from working in Slidell, New Orleans, or South Louisiana.
How can we help?
- What is an SSDI disability?
- What is the list of impairments for adults in Slidell?
- How do you show you have a qualifying disability?
- What is the list of impairments for children in Slidell?
- Can I qualify if my medical condition is not on the list?
- Do you have a Slidell SSDI qualifying conditions lawyer near me?
What is an SSDI disability?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal insurance program in the United States that provides financial support to individuals unable to work because of a disability. Under Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines, adults applying for SSDI must have a disability preventing them from participating in substantial gainful activity (SGA) "by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months."
For individuals under 19 years old, disability is defined as a "medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that causes marked and severe functional limitations, and that can be expected to cause death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months."
According to the SSA, a "medically determinable physical or mental impairment" is a medical condition that has been diagnosed by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests. However, a general summary is insufficient—specific evidence from the doctor is required to demonstrate the existence of a particular medical condition or impairment.
The initial disability determination is usually made by local disability determination services, potentially through an examination by the applicant's own medical provider. In some instances, the disability determination service might schedule an independent medical exam (IME).
What is the list of impairments for adults in Slidell?
Social Security has a specific list of impairments for adults. The list contains 14 categories, each including specific types of impairments. For each adult impairment, the SSA identifies the medical evidence that they’re looking for to verify you have that impairment. The medical conditions on the list include the following:
- Musculoskeletal disorders: Bones, major joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, or other soft tissues
- Special senses and speech: Visual disorders, hearing loss, and inability to speak
- Respiratory disorders: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis
- Cardiovascular system: Chronic heart failure or ischemic heart disease
- Digestive system: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, liver dysfunction, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Genitourinary disorders: Chronic kidney disease and hypertensive nephropathy
- Hematological disorders: Conditions disrupting the normal development and function of blood cells and clotting-factor proteins
- Skin disorders: Burn injuries and severe skin disorders
- Endocrine disorders: Hormonal imbalances
- Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems: Non-mosaic Down Syndrome and other congenital disorders
- Neurological disorders: Epilepsy, ALS, coma, and other neurological disorders
- Mental disorders: Euro-cognitive disorders, schizophrenia spectrum, depressive, bipolar, and anxiety disorders
- Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases): Most types of cancers, with limited exceptions
- Immune system disorders: Dysfunctions in one or more components of the immune system
How do you show you have a qualifying disability?
There are several essential requirements to meet to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Generally, you must have sufficient work credits and a qualifying disability. A qualifying disability is a medical condition that hinders your ability to work for at least one year.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes 14 categories of impairments. Even if your medical condition isn't listed, you can still be eligible if you meet alternative criteria. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires specific criteria to be met. For example, in the musculoskeletal disorder category, these conditions include:
- Disorders of the skeletal spine leading to nerve root(s) compromise
- Lumbar spinal stenosis causing cauda equina compromise
- Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint
- Abnormality of a major joint(s) in any extremity
- Pathologic fractures due to any cause
- Amputation for any reason
- Soft tissue injury or abnormality under ongoing surgical management
- Non-healing or complex fracture of the femur, tibia, pelvis, or one or more talocrural bones
- Non-healing or complex fracture of an upper extremity
Both medical and non-medical evidence are required. Non-medical evidence involves input from sources capable of describing your functionality and assessing the severity and duration of your musculoskeletal disorder. This evidence includes:
- Results of a physical examination, including an analysis of muscle function
- Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
- Surgical reports
- Details about types of treatment and their effectiveness
- Utilization of assistive devices
- Participation in physical therapy
- Various other forms of evidence like pain levels, functional criteria, fine and gross movements, and specific impairments such as amputations, fractures, and soft tissue injuries.
What is the list of impairments for children in Slidell?
The list of impairments for children contains the following categories:
- Low birth weight and failure to thrive
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Special senses and speech
- Respiratory disorders
- Cardiovascular system
- Digestive system
- Genitourinary disorders
- Hematological disorders
- Skin disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems
- Neurological disorders
Can I qualify if my medical condition is not on the list?
If your medical condition is not included in the list of impairments, you may still qualify by demonstrating that your condition is sufficiently severe to impede substantial gainful activity for at least a year or is anticipated to lead to death. The Social Security Administration (SSA) examines your medical evidence and evaluates the nature of your past and potential work to determine your eligibility for a qualifying disability.
At the Law Office of James A. Graham, our SSDI lawyers in Slidell collaborate with your medical professionals to establish that, even if your disability is not specifically listed by the SSA, you are still eligible for benefits.
Do you have a Slidell Social Security Disability Income lawyer near me?
The Law Office of James A. Graham proudly serves clients throughout South Louisiana. We have offices in Slidell and New Orleans and also offer phone or video conferences for those unable to travel to us.
Contact our experienced Slidell Social Security disability lawyers today
At the Law Office of James A. Graham, we know the challenges that diseases and medical disorders present to individuals who are unable to work and support their families. We work with your medical professionals to demonstrate that your medical conditions align with the SSA’s List of Impairments or negatively impact your ability to work. For a conversation about your eligibility for SSDI, reach out to us by calling or completing our contact form to arrange a complimentary consultation with our Social Security disability lawyers in Slidell. We have the expertise to help you obtain the Social Security Disability benefits that you deserve.