The Listing Of Impairments: Disorders Of The Genitourinary System

By Kenton Koszdin on August 27, 2018 | In Disability Insurance

The Listing Of Impairments: Disorders Of The Genitourinary System

The more that applicants for disability benefits know about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers and evaluates their type of disability, the more prepared they will be for the road ahead as the SSA considers benefit eligibility. As the claims process for disability benefits may not only be long and arduous, but complicated and confusing, the Kenton Koszdin Law Office hopes these blogs on the various systems of the body as covered by the Listing of Impairments (the “Listings”) provide applicants with important, useful information that helps them pinpoint whether and how their condition meets or equals a disability.  Social Security considers various factors in evaluating a genitourinary system disorder. Dialysis, kidney transplants, bone disorders are just a few of these factors. The following is a brief summary:

The Listings detail impairments that the SSA considers sufficiently severe to prevent a person from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is work that earns income above a certain threshold per month. In 2018, this is $1,180 for non-blind disabled applicants and $1,970 for blind applicants.

The disorders that are listed are only examples of common genitourinary system disorders that are considered severe enough to prevent a person from performing any gainful activity. If an impairment does not meet the criteria of any of the genitourinary listings, Social Security may consider whether any impairment satisfies the criteria of a listing in another body system. As Social Security may associate genitourinary disorders with disorders in other body systems, it will evaluate the combined effects of multiple impairments to determine whether an impairment medically equals a listing.

If an impairment does not meet or medically equal the criteria of a listing, an applicant may still not have the residual functional capacity to engage in substantial gainful activity. Social Security then moves to the fourth and, if necessary, the fifth steps of the sequential evaluation process.

Some of the genitourinary system disorders evaluated by Social Security are those that result in chronic kidney disease (CKD), such as diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, chronic obstructive uropathy, chronic glomerulonephritis, and hereditary nephropathies. Nephrotic syndrome resulting from glomerular dysfunction is also evaluated under these listings. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is an estimate of the filtering capacity of the kidneys that considers serum creatinine concentration and factors such as age, gender, and body size. These are all taken into consideration when chronic kidney disease with impairment of kidney function is evaluated by the SSA.

The Social Security Administration requires evidence of the symptoms and laboratory findings of an applicant’s CKD. This proof should be in the form of clinical examination reports and all records of and responses to treatment. Lab results which indicate serum creatinine or serum albumin levels may document a claimant’s kidney function. This evidence must pertain to a period of at least 90 days unless Social Security can render a decision without this evidence.

One of the best ways to make sure you understand all the steps and processes associated with applying for social security disability benefits is to retain the services of a qualified California Social Security Disability attorney. An injury, illness or disability may prevent anyone from performing his or her job to the best of his or her ability. My office is here to protect those who are injured on the job. My office is here to protect those who are disabled, sick, ill and unable to work. The primary goal of the Kenton Koszdin Law Office is to help our clients get as well as possible physically and financially. Contact the Kenton Koszdin Law Office today for a free consultation. We even offer free in-home consultations! Call 800-438-7734 or visit us online. It will be a pleasure to hear from you. Se habla espańol!

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