Chicago Social Security Disability Attorneys

Illinois Total Disability Lawyers

In order to be eligible for social security disability benefits, a person must have a medical condition that meets the definition of total disability under social security laws.  Social security benefits are not available for partial disabilities or short-term disabilities.

List of Medical Conditions That Automatically Qualifies As Disabilities

The Social Security Administration has developed a list of medical conditions that automatically qualify as disabilities.  This list describes, for each major body system, impairments that are considered to be so severe that they prevent an individual from performing any gainful activity.   If your medical condition is not on this list, however, that does not mean that you will not qualify for social security disability benefits.  It simply means that the Social Security Administration will assess your medical condition more closely to determine whether you are disabled.

Common Medical Conditions That Qualify for Social Security Benefits

Some of the most common medical conditions that qualify as total disabilities under social security laws include the following:

• Amputation
• Arthritis
• Anxiety
• Back conditions, including back pain, back injuries, herniated disc, spinal arachnoiditis and other spinal injuries
• Brain Injuries – destruction or degeneration of brain cells that can be caused by a number of conditions
• Brain tumors
• Chronic Pain Disorders – pain that lasts longer than the expected duration of healing
• Cancer – a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that invades healthy tissues and sometimes results in metastasis
• Cerebral Palsy
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a period of at least six months, which is not due to ongoing physical exertion and is not substantially relieved by rest
• Crohn’s Disease – an inflammatory disease that affects the intestines and causes a wide variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss
• Diabetes – a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar either because the person’s body does not produce enough insulin or because cells do not respond to insulin properly
• Down’s Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia – a musculoskeletal disease or neuropsychiatric condition in which patients experience chronic widespread pain, as well as debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance and joint stiffness
• Heart problems including congestive heart failure (a disorder resulting in the inability of the heart to pump enough blood throughout the body)
• Hepatitis C and other liver diseases
• HIV/Aids
• Huntington’s Disease – a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and dementia.
• Injuries Due to Negligence/Personal Injury – injuries that result because of an incident caused by the negligence of another person (i.e. the failure of another person to exercise reasonable care)
• Kidney diseases that require kidney transplant or hemodialysis
• Loss of speech
• Lung Disease – a variety of diseases affecting the lungs and respiratory systems
• Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis & Other Autoimmune Disorders – diseases in which a person has an overactive immune response and can affect a number of body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs
• Mental Health Disabilities, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, addiction disorders and personality disorders
• Motor function issues
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and central nervous system and often results in physical and cognitive disabilities
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Narcolepsy
• Orthopedic Injuries – a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries, including hip replacements,
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Paralysis
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – an anxiety disorder experienced after a traumatic experience involving the threat of injury or death

Contact Experienced Social Security Disability Attorneys

The experienced Chicago social security disability attorneys understand the many medical conditions that may qualify as a disability under social security laws.  We will take the time to discuss your condition with you and explain any social security benefits that may be available to you and your family.  Contact one of our trusted social security disability attorneys to schedule a free consultation to discuss your medical condition and learn more about social security disability benefits.