Published on: September 16, 2020
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the “Blue Book” listing of impairments to determine which medical conditions qualify for Social Security disability benefits. However, there are hundreds of medical syndromes out there not listed that may be just as severe as the listed qualifying conditions.
With an official diagnosis and a thorough record of evidence detailing how your symptoms limit your abilities, you can convince the SSA that your medical syndrome warrants benefits. Or, if you have been denied previously for your medical condition, pursuing a disability claim through the appeals process can have the determination reversed. Learn more about how medical syndromes qualify for disability benefits.
What is a Medical Syndrome?
A medical syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that are often associated with a disease or are a set of abnormal conditions when they occur together. While some medical syndromes are controversial and unestablished, others are well accepted by all medical professionals as established diseases.
Since syndromes can range from medical symptoms to well-recognized diseases, there are about 2,700 recognized medical syndromes. Certain medical syndromes qualify for Social Security disability benefits. However, syndromes are judged due to their severity and degree that they withhold you from keeping a steady income.
What Determines Whether a Medical Syndrome Qualifies for Disability
Medical syndromes are a very grey category when it comes to what qualifies and what doesn’t What matters is the severity of the disorder and how it affects your ability to hold a job. If your medical condition isn’t listed in the SSA’s Blue Book, you can use medical records, doctor’s notes, pay stubs, and a trove of other information to show that your medical syndrome is just as severe as a qualifying condition and restricts you from holding a job or performing basic functions.
List of Medical Syndromes that Qualify for Disability Benefits
While there are numerous medical syndromes that may qualify for disability benefits if they meet certain criteria, here are a few examples of medical syndromes that may be applicable to receive help from the SSA.
Asperger's Syndrome
For people with severe Asperger’s syndrome, disability benefits can help. Asperger’s syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder which can primarily affect communication. People with Asperger’s can range from barely noticeable to severely limited. For severe Asperger’s, applicants will be qualified based on the requirements listed for the SSA's disability for autism and autistic conditions.
It’s important to note that SSDI is available only to adults who have a significant work history working in jobs that paid Social Security taxes or to those whose parents have enough work credits.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel syndrome can cause weakness or numbness in the hand or fingers, which can inhibit the ability for people to accomplish basic tasks. Many applicants with Carpal Tunnel syndrome have difficulty being accepted for disability benefits, it’s been possible to win benefits for many when appealing.
Chronic Migraines
Migraines can range from mild and annoying to debilitating. People who suffer from severe chronic migraines cannot function on a daily basis and many medications may not even work. When applying for disability benefits, the SSA will investigate how limiting your migraines are and if they reach the level of disability.
Epstein-Barr Virus
One of the most common viruses in the world, the Epstein-Barr virus can cause mono or extreme fatigue that can last for months. For some people infected with the virus, this fatigue can make it unable to hold a job or concentrate on essential tasks. The SSA will determine through diagnostic tests, treatment response, and doctor’s opinions, whether or not your Epstein-Barr virus symptoms will be lasting for longer than a year. If they are not, your claim will be denied.
How Do Children With Medical Syndromes Qualify?
Children with medical syndromes can apply for Social Security benefits as well. Like with medically-accepted diseases and disorders, any medical syndrome for children must contain certain criteria to be considered impairments debilitating enough for disability benefits.
Although your child’s specific syndrome may not be listed in the SSA’s “Blue Book”, their disorder may still qualify for disability benefits if the evidentiary requirements are met. This includes medical evidence, an assessment of the syndrome’s severity, and a consultative examination report.
Since medical syndromes may contain a set of symptoms that mirror established diseases, you can argue that your child’s condition contains the same severity or signs of one of the Blue Book disorders.
When To Hire a Disability Advocate
Even though many medical syndromes are not listed in the Blue Book, you can still receive benefits. With the help of expert disability advocates, you can prove to the SSA that your syndrome is just as severe as one of the qualifying medical conditions and that you need disability benefits to continue living your life to the fullest.
If you've already applied to the SSA for your medical syndrome and was denied for your condition, you're going to need the help of a highly experienced disability advocate. They’ll be able to fight for your case so you can receive the compensation you need. So, don’t hesitate! Contact DEF today.
