Environmental Limitations in Social Security Disability Cases

There are many disabling conditions which include an environmental impairment aspect, like hypersensitivity to noise and light, or inability to tolerate dust, fumes or other common environmental elements found in the workplaces within your field of expertise. In some cases, though relatively rare, the environmental impairment alone may be the reason for filing a disability claim. In other cases, the disability claim may be based on a diagnosed medical condition that also has environmental impairment symptoms associated with it.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) categorizes types of impairments for the purposes of evaluating an applicant’s ability to perform essential job duties. There are two main categories of employment-related impairments or limitations that the SSA recognizes: Exertional and Non-exertional. Exertional impairments are the more common type seen in disability claims. These kinds of limitations relate to an applicant’s inability to perform routine activities required on the job. There are seven subcategories under exertional impairments: pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, sitting, standing, and walking. Non-exertional impairments, while less common, are still valid reasons for filing a disability claim when they severely limit one’s ability to obtain and keep a job. There are five subcategories of non-exertional impairments: postural, manipulative, environmental, sensory, and mental.

If you are filing for disability benefits, and have an environmental impairment, you should include all of the pertinent information about it in your claim and medical file. You should do so even if the environmental impairment isn’t the sole condition upon which you are basing your claim. The reasoning behind this is simple: The SSA will make a decision on your claim based on all of your disabling conditions. If you have several disabling conditions which might not individually qualify you for disability benefits, you may still qualify based on the combined effects of all of your medical and/or mental conditions.

Contact our office today if you or anyone you know would like to learn more about qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits.

By: Joyce Trudeau of Premier Disability Services, LLC®

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This October, we are proud to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States. According to leading statistics, approximately 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime.

A diagnosis of breast cancer will almost always require surgery and/or radiation. Most breast cancer patients will also require chemotherapy. Without insurance, the costs of these treatments can be astronomical. Of the 12 drugs approved for cancer treatment by the FDA in 2012, 11 of them cost $100,000 or more for just one year of treatment. The 12th drug costs $70,000 per year.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, there could be help available for you. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers financial resources for men and women with breast cancer who are no longer able to work due to their condition. Breast cancer is listed in the “Blue Book” (along with other cancers) in Section 13.00—Malignant Neoplastic Diseases. The listing for breast cancer is very technical. You should speak with your doctor to see if your specific cancer has spread to the extent to qualify for disability benefits via the Blue Book. Typically, breast cancer must be at least stage three or above to qualify for disability benefits medically.

However, even if you do not meet the SSA’s strict Blue Book parameters, you may still qualify for benefits. To qualify for benefits without meeting a medical listing in the Blue Book, you will need to have doctors’ notes and/or medical records that show that you are expected to be out of work for at least 12 months due to your conditions.

If you, or a family member or friend, are struggling with breast cancer and are unable to work, please contact us for a free case evaluation!

National Breast Cancer Foundation: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month

SSA’s listings for cancers: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/13.00-NeoplasticDiseases-Malignant-Adult.htm

Contact our office today if you or anyone you know would like to learn more about qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits.

By: Joyce Trudeau of Premier Disability Services, LLC®