The Listing of Impairments: Adult Endocrine Disorders

An individual with an endocrine disorder like hypoglycemia may have a disability that meets the criteria established by the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) listing of impairments (the “listings”). The listings detail impairments considered severe enough to prevent an individual from performing any substantial gainful activity (SGA), i.e., work that earns income above a certain set amount per month. In 2018, this is $1,180 for non-blind disabled applicants and $1,970 for blind applicants.

The endocrine system’s major glands are the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pancreas. The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) evaluates the effects of endocrine disorders by evaluating impairments that result from endocrine disorders under the listings for other body systems.

Hormonal imbalances are typically caused by medical conditions that are usually endocrine disorders. This hormonal imbalance may cause other complications and eventually an excess of a specific hormone, also known as hyperfunction, or hormone deficiency, also known as hypofunction.

Thyroid gland disorders affect the sympathetic nervous system and normal metabolism. They are evaluated as follows:

• Thyroid-related changes in blood pressure and heart rate that cause arrhythmias or other cardiac dysfunction are evaluated under the cardiovascular system;
• thyroid-related weight loss under the digestive system;
• hypertensive cerebrovascular accidents or strokes under neurological disorders; and
• cognitive limitations, mood disorders, and anxiety under mental

Parathyroid gland disorders may affect calcium levels in bone, blood, nerves, muscle, and other body tissues. Social Security evaluates these disorders as follows:

• parathyroid-related osteoporosis and fractures under the musculoskeletal system;
• abnormally elevated calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia) that lead to cataracts under impairments of the senses and speech;
• kidney failure under genitourinary disorders; and
• recurrent abnormally low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia) that lead to increased excitability of nerves and muscles, such as tetany and muscle spasms, under neurological

Hiring a qualified disability lawyer ensures the proper evaluation of your disability matter. To improve your chances of meeting all of the requirements for the allowance of a claim (and avoiding the denial of benefits), retain the services of a qualified California Social Security Disability attorney. Contact Kenton Koszdin Law Office today. We help the residents of the San Fernando Valley obtain Social Security disability and workers’ compensation benefits! We offer free office and in-home consultations at your complete convenience. Call 800-438-7734 or visit us online. Se habla espańol!