Degenerative Diseases and SSDI Eligibility
If you have a degenerative disease, can you be eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits? It will depend entirely on the nature of the degenerative disease and whether it is currently resulting in a disabling condition that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). Given that degenerative diseases do not improve, these types of diagnoses nearly always meet the Social Security Administration’s requirement that the medical condition be expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in a person’s death. Yet whether or not the disease at this stage qualifies a person for SSDI payments will be based on the degree of disability currently caused by the disease.
Our national disability benefits lawyers can tell you more about degenerative diseases and SSDI eligibility.
What is a Degenerative Disease?
According to the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a degenerative disease can be defined as “a disease in which the function or structure of the affected tissues or organs changes for the worse over time.” The NIH lists osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and Azheimer’s disease as common examples of degenerative diseases.
Generally speaking, degenerative diseases can fall into different categories. The Cleveland Clinic describes neurodegenerative disorders as “chronic conditions that damage or destroy parts of your nervous system over time, especially your brain.” With neurodegenerative diseases or disorders, the goal can only be to treat symptoms or to slow the progress of the disease where possible. These types of degenerative diseases include dementia (including Alzheimer’s), motor neuron diseases (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS), and Parkinson’s disease among others.
Degenerative joint diseases can also cause debilitating symptoms, usually as a result of aging and chronic repetitive motions. Osteoarthritis is a common type of degenerative joint disease. Degenerative joint disease most commonly affects a person’s knees, hands, hips, and spine.
SSDI and Degenerative Diseases
Most degenerative diseases for which a person can qualify for SSDI benefits will be found in the SSA Blue Book under Section 1.00 (musculoskeletal disorders) or under Section 11.00 (neurological disorders).
For many types of neurodegenerative disorders, especially those that can involve rapid degeneration and loss of physical and mental abilities, it may be possible not only to qualify for SSDI benefits, but to qualify for a fast-track access to benefits through the Compassionate Allowances program. A lawyer can assess the degree of disability caused by your degenerative disease and help you to understand your options for obtaining SSDI benefits.
Contact a Social Security Disability Benefits Attorney Today for Assistance
Were you recently diagnosed with a degenerative disease that prevents you from working due to its disabling nature? If so, you may be eligible to apply for and receive SSDI benefits. One of the experienced national SSDI benefits attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz can discuss the details of your medical diagnosis with you today, along with details concerning your work-record eligibility for SSDI. Once you are ready, we can assist you in completing your application and seeking SSDI benefits. Contact us today for assistance.
Sources:
ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/1.00-Musculoskeletal-Adult.htm
ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/11.00-Neurological-Adult.htm
cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/degenerative-disease
