Do you have more than one medical condition and wonder if you can qualify for disability with multiple conditions? Does adding every condition help or hinder your chance at approval? Is it better to single out the condition causing you the most trouble? And, if you have multiple medical conditions, do you qualify for more Social Security Disability benefits? These are all pertinent questions for your disability lawyer before applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Schedule a free consultation with a Social Security Disability attorney to discuss the merits of your claim. You’ll want to determine what’s in your best interest for obtaining maximum benefits. Most Social Security disability attorneys work for contingency fees, so there are zero upfront costs or financial risks to have one evaluate your claim.
Qualifying for Disability with Multiple Conditions
There are two primary ways to qualify for disability with multiple conditions. The first is to meet a Social Security Administration Blue Book listing. The second is to complete a residual functional capacity assessment that renders qualification.
Meet a Listing in the Social Security Administration Blue Book
The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Blue Book is an exhaustive list of criteria for qualifying claimants for benefits. Sections with medical criteria documenting a range of qualifying conditions are as follows:
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Special senses and speech
- Respiratory disorders
- Cardiovascular impairments
- Digestive disorders
- Genitourinary disorders
- Hematological disorders
- Skin disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Congenital disorders affecting multiple body systems
- Neurological disorders
- Mental disorders
- Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases)
- Immune system disorders
You automatically qualify for disability benefits if you meet the medical criteria in the SSA Blue Book. However, finding a suitable condition is not always so black and white. Not everything fits into a specific criterion. That doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from claiming benefits.
Fortunately, the SSA allows you to combine the effects of multiple conditions to be medically equivalent to a qualifier of benefits. Suppose you meet some criteria for an endocrine disorder—but not all of them. If you have another condition, such as an inflammatory issue that worsens your endocrine disorder, you may combine the conditions to equal a qualifying Blue Book listing. Your disability attorney will analyze and determine your best options.
Complete a Residual Functional Capacity Assessment
If combining your multiple conditions doesn’t qualify you for disability criteria through a Blue Book listing, you can undergo a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment. An RFC is an administrative evaluation of your ability to perform work-related activities despite physical or mental impairments. Your doctor will perform your RFC assessment looking for limitations, including:
- Sitting, standing, and walking
- Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling
- Stooping and climbing
- Reaching and handling
- Seeing, hearing, and speaking
- Understanding and remembering instructions
- Responding appropriately to supervision
- Tolerance of temperature extremes
- Social restrictions—interacting with coworkers and the public
During their evaluation process, the SSA will consider your age, education, and work experience when determining what type of work you can do. For example, if you are 60+ years old, the SSA may not expect you to retrain for a job in a different industry. However, if you’re 22, the SSA will likely determine your ability to retrain in a new career and deny your benefits.
Does Having Multiple Conditions Increase Your Benefits?
It is a common misconception that qualifying for disability with multiple conditions means a bigger payout. The purpose of SSDI benefits is to cover lost income as a result of disability preventing you from working.
Having multiple conditions doesn’t constitute being paid more. For example, say you have four conditions. Suppose you were to heal from two conditions. You couldn’t double your earnings for the same service hours at your current employment. The same is valid for disability benefits. The multiple-condition benefits are only for eligibility.
How the SSA Decides Whether to Approve Your Disability Claim
The SSA utilizes a five-step questioning process to determine eligibility for disability benefits. The five questions they ask to see if you’re eligible for SSA benefits are as follows:
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): Are you engaged in substantial gainful activity? If you work and your earnings average more than $1,550 ($2,590 if you’re blind) a month, you typically cannot be considered disabled.
- Severe Impairment: Is your condition severe? The severity of your condition must limit your ability to perform basic work-related activities, including walking, standing, sitting, lifting, or remembering, for at least 12 months.
- Impairment Meets or Equals Blue Book Listing: Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions? If your condition is not on the list, does the combination of conditions equal the criteria of a qualifying medical condition?
- Past Job Ability: Can you do the work you did previously? Do you have medical impairments preventing you from performing any of your past work? If it doesn’t, SSA will determine you don’t have a qualifying disability.
- Ability to Perform Other Work: Can you perform any other type of work? If you are young and have plenty of time to retrain for a job in another career field, the SSA will likely not approve SSDI benefits.
You will be determined eligible if you successfully check all the boxes in the SSA’s five-step process of vetting SSDI benefits. Your approval for disability for multiple conditions relies heavily on the medical evidence you supply to SSA. An experienced disability lawyer can compile a thorough case file in your favor.
Evidence That Can Qualify You for Disability for Multiple Conditions
To qualify for disability with multiple conditions, you must provide comprehensive medical evidence and work history. Critical elements of evidence required for SSDI approval include:
- Diagnoses: A precise diagnosis from a licensed medical physician.
- Medical Records: Detailed medical records from your treating doctor documenting treatments, medications, and progress notes.
- Test Results: Objective test results, such as imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs) and lab results supporting your diagnosis and severity of your disability.
- Limitations Assessment: A physician’s assessment regarding functional limitations in daily activities and work capabilities due to your disability.
- Work History: A thorough documentation of your past work experience and job performance duties.
A personal statement of how your condition affects your daily life, including your ability to work, is another viable piece of evidence. You should document limitations, restrictions, pain levels, and other ways your disability impacts your life.
Schedule a free consultation with a Social Security Disability attorney to help complete your benefits application process. They have significant knowledge of the complex Social Security disability system. Working with an experienced disability lawyer not only often increases your chances of getting approved for benefits but also relieves stress during the process.
