Common Medical Issues in Social Security Disability

Following are some common medical issues found in Social Security Disability cases, at Randy Zeldin, Esq.:

• Musculoskeletal Systems
  These disabilities frequently include spine disorders; arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint and amputations.
• Respiratory System
  Common disabilities include asthma; cystic fibrosis and chronic pulmonary insufficiency.
• Cardiovascular
  Cardiologists will diagnose chronic heart failure; ischemic heart disease; peripheral aerterial disease and aneurysm of aorta.
• Endocrine System
  This category generally involves thyroid disorders, such as hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism.
• Neurological
  This very broad category encompasses epilepsy; spinal cord injuries; multiple sclerosis and Parkinsonian syndrome.
• Mental Disorders
  As diagnosed by a psychiatrist, these may include organic mental disorders; mental retardation; bipolar disorders and autism.

Of course, there are many other disorders, conditions, diseases and injuries which can result in a favorable decision for receipt of Social Security Disability Benefits. These are some of the other categories of medical issues:

• Special Senses - Loss of visual acuity and/or efficiency; disturbance of labyrinthine-vestibular function; loss of speech; severe hearing loss.
• Respiratory System - Chronic pulmonary insufficiency; asthma; cystic fibrosis; pneumoconiosis; bronchiectasis; sleep-related breath disorders and lung transplant.
• Digestive System - Gastrointestinal hemorrhaging; chronic liver disease; inflammatory bowel disease.
• Genitourinary Impairments - Impairment of renal function; nephritic syndrome.
• Hematological System - Chronic anemia; sickle cell disease; chronic thrombocytopenia; hereditary telangiectasia; coagulation defects; polycythemia vera; myelofibrosis; chronic granulocytopenia; aplastic anemia with bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
• Skin Disorders - Icthyosis; bullous disease; chronic infections; dermatitis; hydradenitits suppurativa; genetic photosensitivity disorders; burns.
• Neoplastic Diseases, Malignant - soft tissue tumors of the head and neck; soft tissue sarcoma; lymphoma; leukemia; multiple myeloma; salivary glands; thyroid gland; breast; maxilla orbit; lungs; esophagus or stomach; small and large intestine; prostate gland.
• Imuune System - systematic lupus erythematosus; systemic vasculitis; systemic sclerosis and scleroderma; polymyositis or dermatomyositis; undifferntiaed connective tissue disorder; immunoglobulin deficiency syndrome or deficiencies of cell-mediated; immunity; inflammatory arthritis; Sjogren’s syndrome.

It is helpful in developing medical evidence, to have the medical provider author what is known as a Residual Functional Capacity form. This form helps to document and pin-point the elements of a specific medical disability with great detail and elaboration. Typically, included will be the exact diagnosis; medical history; test results; physical findings; functional limitations; environmental limitations; mental/psychiatric limitations, etc.,

The burden of proof always rests with the Claimant seeking Social Security Disability. The Claimant must produce the medical evidence that he or she is unable to work by reason of a medical impairment or combination of impairments. Although sometimes the Social Security Administration will appoint a medical examiner, this is commonly not sufficient medical evidence to prove a disability. Social Security must take some steps to assist the claimant in obtaining the medical evidence. Under SSA rules, the agency can generally fulfill its duty to obtain medical evidence by sending out an initial request and making one follow-up telephone call.

Randy Zeldin, Esq., Social Security Disability Attorney and Lawyer, works with a wide variety of physician specialists, to make certain that the disabilities are documented for consideration by the Administrative Law Judge.