Understanding How the SSA Evaluates Multiple Conditions

When you apply for SSD, the SSA doesn’t just look at each of your conditions in isolation. Instead, they evaluate how all your conditions work together and how they limit your ability to work. The process is designed to assess your overall functional capacity, taking into account how your conditions interact and whether they prevent you from performing daily tasks and work activities.

Combining the Effects of Your Conditions

The SSA uses a process called "combining" to determine the impact of multiple conditions. This means that even if no single condition qualifies you for benefits, the SSA may find that the combination of conditions is severe enough to prevent you from working.

• Physical Conditions: If you have conditions like arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, or a herniated disc, the SSA will evaluate how these issues affect your ability to perform physical tasks like lifting, standing, walking, or sitting.
• Mental Health Conditions: Conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder are also evaluated. The SSA will assess how your mental health conditions affect your ability to concentrate, maintain focus, interact with others, and handle work-related stress.
• Other Conditions: Chronic pain, fatigue, or cognitive impairments can be taken into account if they affect your ability to work, even if they are not directly listed as impairments.

Medical Evidence for Multiple Conditions

For your application to be successful, you will need to provide strong medical evidence for all of your conditions. The SSA requires detailed documentation to understand the full scope of how your multiple conditions affect your ability to work. Here’s what you should include:

• Medical Records: Include all relevant medical records for each of your conditions, such as doctors’ notes, lab results, and treatment history.
• Doctor’s Opinion: A detailed opinion from your treating physician or specialists about how your multiple conditions limit your ability to work can be crucial. The more specific the information, the better.
• Functional Limitations: You should also explain how your conditions impact your daily life and work tasks. For example, can you walk without assistance? Are you able to lift objects or perform basic work functions? Provide information on how your conditions affect your ability to perform both physical and mental tasks.

Meeting the SSA’s Five-Step Process for Disability Determination

The SSA evaluates your eligibility based on a five-step process. Here’s how multiple conditions fit into this process:

• Step 1: Are You Working? The SSA first looks at whether you are working and earning above the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit. In 2025, this is $1,470 per month for non-blind individuals. If you are working above this amount, you will not qualify for SSD.
• Step 2: Is Your Condition Severe? The SSA will determine whether the combined effects of your conditions are severe enough to significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities.
• Step 3: Do Your Conditions Meet or Equal a Listed Impairment? If any of your conditions meet the SSA’s Listing of Impairments (a list of medical conditions that automatically qualify for SSD), or if the combination of your conditions is equivalent to one of the listed impairments, you will be approved for benefits.
• Step 4: Can You Do Your Past Work? The SSA will assess whether your combined conditions allow you to perform any of your previous work. If you cannot perform your past job, they will proceed to the next step.
• Step 5: Can You Do Other Work? Finally, the SSA will look at whether you can do any other type of work considering your age, education, skills, and the limitations caused by your multiple conditions. If the SSA determines that you cannot do other work, you may be approved for SSD benefits.

The Role of the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Assessment

For individuals with multiple conditions, the SSA often relies heavily on the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment. This evaluation looks at how your combined conditions affect your ability to perform work-related activities. The RFC assessment covers:

• Physical Limitations: Can you lift, carry, stand, sit, or walk for extended periods?
• Mental Limitations: How do your conditions affect your ability to understand instructions, maintain concentration, or handle work-related stress?
• Social Limitations: Are you able to interact appropriately with coworkers and supervisors? Do your conditions cause you to avoid social situations or have difficulty with social interactions?

If the RFC assessment shows that you cannot do any past or other types of work, you may be eligible for SSD benefits.

The Appeals Process If Denied

It’s not uncommon for SSD claims to be denied initially, even if you have multiple conditions. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeals process involves:

• Reconsideration: A review of your case by a different SSA examiner.
• Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If your reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing. An ALJ will review your case, listen to your testimony, and evaluate additional evidence.
• Appeals Council: If the ALJ denies your case, you can request a review by the SSA’s Appeals Council.
• Federal Court: If all other levels of appeal are unsuccessful, you can file a lawsuit in federal court.