• Practice Areas
• Social Security Disability Law
• Social Security Disability Eligibility
• FICA Withholding
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits
• FAQS: Social Security Disability
• Disabling Diseases
• Social Security Disability Glossary of Terms

Disabling Diseases

Many common diseases cause debilitating conditions. If you are suffering from a serious illness, severe enough it prevents you from working for 12 months, or for the rest of your life, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

Often referred to as the ''blue book,'' the Social Security Administration (SSA) manual, Listing of Impairments, lists diseases and resulting impairments’ criteria that meet SSA requirements for disability benefits.

Social Security Disability claims examiners and administrative law judges (AJL) each serve to adjudicate claims. Claims examiners on the first level of the claim process and the AJL who hears appeals on a higher level, both use the “blue book” a reference guide.

The criteria in the SSA Listing of Impairments are applicable to evaluation of claims for disability benefits or payments under both the Social Security Disability insurance and SSI programs.

Common diseases and conditions listed in the ''blue book'' include, but are not limited to:

• Asthma
• Balance & Hearing Disorders
• Blood & Lymphatic Diseases
• Bi-Polar Disorder
• Cancer
• Chronic Pain Syndrome
• Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiency
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Emphysema
• Fibromyalgia
• Hepatitis C
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Liver Diseases
• Lupus
• Kidney Diseases
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neurological Disorders
• Pneumoconiosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Speech Disorders
• Vision Disorders

Read the SSA Listing of Impairments that are considered severe enough to prevent a person from doing any gainful activity.

At Bailey & Galyen, attorney, Derrick Williams devotes his practice to Social Security Disability cases. He has successfully represented many individuals suffering from debilitating diseases. Taking Social Security Disability claims through every level, including at hearing appeals, appeals to council and in federal courts, if necessary, Mr. Stewart has helped his clients obtain the Social Security Disability benefits to which they are entitled.