The Listing Of Impairments: Disorders Of The Musculoskeletal System - Part 1

By Kenton Koszdin on August 8, 2018 | In Disability Insurance

The Listing Of Impairments: Disorders Of The Musculoskeletal System – Part 1

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.

If you have a musculoskeletal impairment, that is, an inability to walk or move that impairs your ability to perform everyday activities, including the functions related to your employment, you may have a disability that meets the criteria established by the Listing of Impairments. 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.

Disorders of the musculoskeletal system may be hereditary, congenital, or by acquired pathological processes. Impairments may result from infectious, inflammatory, or degenerative processes, traumatic or developmental events, or neoplastic, vascular, or toxic/metabolic diseases. Loss of function related to such impairments may be a result of bone or joint deformity or destruction from any cause; miscellaneous disorders of the spine with or without radiculopathy or other neurological deficits; amputation; or fractures or soft tissue injuries, including burns, that require extended periods of immobility and convalescence.

Functional loss is defined by Social Security as the inability to ambulate effectively on a sustained basis for any reason, and includes pain associated with the impairment, or the inability to perform fine and gross movements effectively on a sustained basis for any reason, including pain associated with the impairment. These definitions apply regardless of the cause(s) of the musculoskeletal impairment.

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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