Musculoskeletal Conditions

These include conditions that affect your muscles, bones, and joints, often causing severe pain and limiting movement. Common musculoskeletal conditions that may qualify for disability include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Back problems (e.g., herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica)
• Joint disorders (e.g., fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis)
• Amputations
• Scoliosis or other severe spine deformities
  

Cardiovascular Conditions

Heart and circulatory system conditions are among the most common causes of disability. These may include:

• Heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
• Stroke (Cerebrovascular accident)
• Peripheral artery disease
• Severe hypertension (high blood pressure)

Neurological Conditions

Disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system can be debilitating. Some of the neurological conditions that may qualify for disability include:

• Epilepsy (seizure disorders)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• Brain injuries or tumors
• Cerebral palsy
• Spinal cord injuries
• Chronic migraines

Mental Health Disorders

The SSA recognizes that mental health disorders can be just as disabling as physical conditions. Conditions that may qualify for disability based on mental health include:

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Intellectual disabilities
• Personality disorders

Respiratory (Breathing) Disorders

Severe breathing problems that limit your ability to function can qualify you for disability. These may include:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Emphysema
• Chronic asthma
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Sleep apnea
  
  

Cancer

Certain types of cancer, particularly those that are in advanced stages or spread to other parts of the body (metastasized), can qualify you for disability benefits. Examples include:

• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Colorectal cancer

Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease or kidney failure can significantly impact your ability to work and perform daily activities. Conditions related to kidney failure include:

• End-stage renal disease (ESRD)
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Chronic kidney disease with dialysis

Liver Disease

Severe liver conditions that impair liver function and limit a person’s ability to work can qualify for disability. These include:

• Cirrhosis
• Hepatitis
• Liver cancer

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases cause the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues, leading to chronic illness. Conditions like these may qualify for disability:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

10. HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS may qualify for disability benefits if it has progressed to a point where it significantly impairs your ability to work and live a normal life. The SSA has specific guidelines for HIV-related disabilities.

How the SSA Determines Disability

The SSA uses a five-step process to evaluate disability claims, regardless of the condition you are applying for. The steps include:

• Are you working? If you are working and earning more than a specific monthly threshold, you may not qualify for disability benefits.
• Is your condition severe? The SSA must determine if your medical condition significantly limits your ability to perform basic work tasks.
• Is your condition on the SSA’s list of impairments? The SSA has a “Listing of Impairments” that includes conditions known to be severe enough to prevent work.
• Can you do your past work? If you can still do your previous job, you may not qualify for disability.
• Can you do any other type of work? If you cannot do your previous work, the SSA will determine whether you can do any other type of work based on your age, education, and skills.

How to Strengthen Your Disability Claim

For most conditions to qualify for disability, you will need to provide substantial medical evidence. Here are a few tips for strengthening your claim:

• Maintain a regular relationship with your healthcare providers and ensure that they document the severity of your condition.
• Submit comprehensive medical records that clearly outline your diagnosis, treatment, and limitations.
• Get a detailed statement from your doctor that explains how your condition affects your ability to perform daily activities and work.
• Document all your symptoms and functional limitations, including how they impact your ability to perform routine tasks.