Neurological Disorders, Brain, Spinal Cord: Social Security Disability
The Social Security Administration organizes neurological disorders into the following sixteen categories:
- Convulsive Epilepsy
- Nonconvulsive Epilepsy
- Central Nervous Vascular Accident
- Brain Tumors
- Parkinsonian Syndrome
- Cerebral Palsy
- Spinal Cord or Nerve Root Lesions
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Anterior Poliomyelitis
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Peripheral Neuropathies
- Subacute Combined Cord Degeneration
- Cerebral Trauma
- Syringomyelia
If you are unable to work for at least twelve consecutive months due to a neurological disorder, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Call Freedom Disability Services today at (866) 761-5942 to begin your application or appeal your case if you have been denied in the past.
Convulsive Epilepsy
To be approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, either in an initial application or an appeal, the claimant is typically successful when their convulsive epilepsy (grand mal or psychomotor) is documented by a detailed description of a typical seizure pattern, including all associated occurrences. The seizures must occur more than once a month despite at least three previous months of prescribed treatment. The claimant must experience alteration of awareness or loss of consciousness and transient postictal manifestations of unconventional behavior that interferes with daily activity. Back to neurological disorders
Nonconvulsive Epilepsy
Claimants applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits with nonconvulsive epilepsy (petit mal, psychomotor, or focal) are most successful when their condition is documented by detailed descriptions of typical seizure patterns including all associated occurrences. The seizures must occur more than once a week despite three previous months of prescribed treatment. The claimant must also experience alteration of awareness or loss of consciousness and transient postictal manifestations of unconventional behavior that interferes with daily activity. Back to neurological disorders
Central Nervous System Vascular Accident
Claimants are typically approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits with one or more of the following symptoms more than three months after the vascular accident:
- Sensory or motor aphasia resulting in ineffective speech or communication
- Significant and unrelenting disorganization of motor function in at least two extremities, resulting in disturbance of movements or gait and station Back to neurological disorders
Benign Brain Tumors
The Social Security Administration evaluates brain tumors based on their severity and the duration of impairment on daily activities and laboratory findings. If you are unable to work for at least twelve consecutive months due to your brain tumor, you will typically be approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Back to neurological disorders
Parkinsonian Syndrome
Claimants applying or appealing Social Security Disability Insurance benefits claims are typically approved when their condition includes the following symptoms:
- Significant rigidity
- Bradykinesia
- Tremor in at least two extremities
These symptoms must singularly, or in combination result in a sustained disturbance or dexterous movements, or gait and station. Back to neurological disorders
Cerebral Palsy
Claimants are typically approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits when they demonstrate:
- An IQ of 70 or less
- Abnormal behavior patterns such as emotional instability or destructiveness
- Disorganization of motor function Back to neurological disorders
Spinal Cord or Nerve Root Lesions
Claimants with spinal cord or nerve root lesions, due to any cause, are typically approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits with significant and persistent disorganization of motor function in at least two extremities resulting in sustained disturbance of dexterous movements, or gait and station. Back to neurological disorders
Multiple Sclerosis
Claimants with multiple sclerosis applying or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, or appealing a previous denial, are typically approved with documentation of the following:
- Visual or mental impairment
- Disorganization of motor function in at least two extremities
- Significant reproducible fatigue of motor function with substantial muscle fatigue due to repetitive activity. This must be demonstrated on a physical examination and result from neurological dysfunction in areas of the central nervous system recognized to be involved with the multiple sclerosis process. Back to neurological disorders
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal disease, which attacks nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. Eventually individuals with ALS lose their ability to move their arms, legs, ability to swallow, speak and breath. Claimants are typically approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis established by clinical and laboratory findings. Back to neurological disorders
Anterior Poliomyelitis
Claimants applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits who suffer from Anterior Poliomyelitis are typically approved when their condition includes the following:
- Unintelligible speech
- Persistent difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Disorganized motor function Back to neurological disorders
Myasthenia Gravis
Claimants with Myasthenia Gravis are typically approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits when their symptoms include the following:
- Significant motor weakness of muscles of extremities due to repetitive activity against resistance while on prescribed therapy
- Significant difficulty swallowing, breathing or speaking while on prescribed therapy Back to neurological disorders
Muscular Dystrophy
Claimants applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are typically approved when they suffer from muscular dystrophy with disorganization of motor function in at least two extremities resulting in sustained disturbance of dexterous movements, or gait and station. Back to neurological disorders
Peripheral Neuropathies
Claimants applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are typically approved when suffering from peripheral neuropathies with disorganization of motor function in at least two extremities resulting in sustained disturbance of dexterous movements, or gait and station. Back to neurological disorders
Subacute Combined Cord Degeneration
Claimants suffering with subacute combined cord degeneration with disorganization of motor function in at least two extremities resulting in sustained disturbance of dexterous movement, or gait and function are typically approved in their applications and appeals when their condition is not significantly improved by prescribed treatment. Back to neurological disorders
Degenerative Diseases not listed in other Categories
Common degenerative diseases not listed in other categories are diseases such as Huntington’s chorea, Friedrich’s Ataxia and spino-cerebellar degeneration with the following symptoms:
- Chronic brain syndrome
- Disorganization of motor function in at least two extremities resulting in sustained disturbance of dexterous movement, or gait and station. Back to neurological disorders
Cerebral Trauma
Claimants are typically approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits if the effects of the accident prevent you from working any job for at least twelve consecutive months. Back to neurological disorders
Syringomyelia
Claimants applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are typically approved with documentation of the following symptoms:
- Significant bulbar signs
- Disorganization of motor function in at least two extremities resulting in sustained disturbance of dexterous movement, or gait and station. Back to neurological disorders
Remember, this is only a list of common mental disorders the Social Security Administration has predetermined severe enough to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. If you do not fall into one of these categories, but still feel your condition is disabling, call Freedom Disability Services today at (866) 761-5942 for a free evaluation by one of our Advocates. Our Advocates will provide you with further information about each category’s specific criteria and help determine if your condition is likely to result in a successful SSDI application.
The foregoing information is based on published materials from the Social Security Administration (“Disability Evaluation Under Social Security”). It is meant to serve as an introduction to some of the factors used by the SSA in evaluating cases. It is no way comprehensive. While Freedom Disability Services can help you prepare an effective application for benefits, only the SSA can determine whether or not you qualify. For more information call Freedom today at (866) 761-5942.
Learn More About Your Disability Benefits:
List of Impairments per SSA Blue Book
Back Pain: Social Security Disability
Stroke or Cerebral Vascular Accident: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Diabetes: Social Security Disability
Eye-Tracking Technology Makes Eye Art
Digestive Disorders: Social Security Disability
Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, Autism: Social Security Disability
I WANT TO KNOW IF I QUALIFY .I HAVE TINY VASCULAR INFARCTS,DEPRESSION,AND PANIC ATTACKS,AND PROBLEM WITH MY NERVES.I AM 46 YEARS OLD AND SINGLE MOM.
To qualify for SSDI you must have paid into Social Security through work and have five-years-worth of work credits accumulated within the last 10 years. If your disability prevents you from preforming any kind of job and you have medical records that support your condition, you may be eligible. You may want to call 866-761-5942 for a more in-depth assessment of your situation.
I had an Aneurysm in 2001 and lost my independence. I have not bee able to regain my independence due to depression, unable to focus on anything for a medium period of time. I applied for SSI/SDI back in 2009 and was denied. I also have lower back problems, high blood pressure and been diagnosed with depression. I have no medical insurance, so I am not under a doctors care at the time, but I need help.
Since you already applied with SSA and were denied, you should consider appealing the decision. We can help you with that process but we need to know more about your case. SSA denies about 63 percent of first-time applications so it's a good idea to consider an appeal. The first step is to call us at (866)761-5942 to talk to an Eligibility Consultant so we can evaluate your options.
I am 27 years old, I am a single mother and I have Multiple Sclerosis. I do receive disability benefits although it is not very much, clearly not enough to support my son and I so we live with my parents. Every time I turn around my benefits are being reduced. Is there any way for me to receive more benefits? I currently stay at home with my son but I am enrolled with Kaplan University where I attend online classes to earn a degree. Any information would help, thanks
Hi, I was just wondering what to do about my situation. In essence, I have an undiagnosed neurological condition. My neuro DX'ed me with vertebro-basilar TIA's, seizures and chronic headaches. My PT noted spasticity, balance problems and weakness. I have muscles going numb permanently and a host of other symptoms. Problem is my MRI's keep coming back normal. I am starting to work with the Cleveland Clinic but that process is just beginnng. I haven't been able to work in months as I keep forgetting to basically (I am freelancer). I can't talk right, it takes forever to write anything and the smallest exertion wipes me out for the day. I know I do have the TIA DX but it's not backed up MRI's and I also have some sort degenerative thing going on. So, I am in diagnosis limbo land right now BUT I just can't work. I don't know what do. DO I apply now with my somewhat shaky records or wait even longer for far more testing and far more time to try to apply. I am not making any money right now and am totally broke. Anyway any advice would be helpful.
Tamara, Your eligibility for SSDI depends not only on if your medical condition can be proven to meet SSA's definition of a disability, but also if you have paid into Social Security and have a recent-enough work history. If you are over 31, you have to have earned five-years-worth of work credits within the last 10 years. The application process is a long one so if you think you meet the general criteria for disability benefits you should get started with the application process, and we can help you with that. You may also qualify for supplemental security income if you have low income resources. We can help you apply for SSI too. Perhaps you should also check your local social services for other programs that may help you.
I have been diagnosed with Kerns-sayre syndrome.Been waiting almost 2yrs.for an answer for disability. Vision real bad, weakness in legs,arms and neck. This disease is considered a muscular dystophy disease. Can you help??? Thanks
Tina, If you already have an application in appeals there isn't much that can be done to hurry up the process to getting approved. If you're waiting for a hearing, the time it takes depends on where you live. Hopefully you have a disability advocate keeping track of your case. It is difficult to wait. No doubt about it.
My husband has had epilepsy for 28 years, he is also a diabetic. He recently lost his job because he had a seizure at work. Now the doctor says he is no longer allowed to drive and he cannot work unsupervised due to the injury risk factor (he was working at a position that has only one employee on site per shift). The doctor also advises that being under undue stress and working extended hours, plus his age factor, puts him at risk for having seizures more often than he is at the present time. He is trying to find a job because he is only 52 and wishes to be gainfully employed, but, should we consider applying for disability?
Amelia, If your husband is not working now and his condition is so severe that it is not advisable to work at any job, perhaps it would be a good idea to apply for disability. To be eligible a person must have a recent-enough work history and a medical condition that meets SSA's definition of disability. However, this is a difficult process and hard to do on your own. Before making a decision perhaps you should call in to talk to one of our Eligibility Consultants at 866-347-2910 to get a better idea of options.
I am 25 years old and i have seizures and have had them for the past 8 years, they run in my family, i currently have a job but always scared of having one, without meds i have one every month, or if my sleeping pattern changes or alot of stress, or strobe lights one will occur, with the meds im not very sure, whats ur advice on what do to or what
My 50 year old wife has recently been officially diagnosed with MS (it's been suspected by her Drs for years). Since Dec. 2010, she has struggled to make it to work a few days a month but really shouldn't be working. She also has severe asthma which is worsened by the MS attacks. Does she really have to be unable to work for 12 months? The catch 22 here is we can't afford to lose her health insurance if she doesn't work and yet she should not be trying to work a few days a month to avoid being fired and losing health insurance. She currently has a public sector job and can't be fired due to her disability as long as we provide Drs excuses. However, we can't afford to do this much longer
Rob, One of the criteria for determining disability is that a person's health condition is expected to prevent them from working for 12 months or longer. Also, a person must be either unable to work or unable to earn more than substantial gainful activity, which is $1,000 a month. It can take six months to three years to get approved for disability. Once approved, there is also a 24-month waiting period from the date of receiving the first monthly benefit to be eligible for Medicare. These are hard decisions.I recommend that your wife call us at 866-347-2910 to talk to an Eligibility Consultant to discuss her options at this time.
I applied for my SSD on 04/12/2011 and was approved on 06/20/2011. I won't get my first check until September 2011 and no back pay. I was wondering why I wasn't getting back pay and why I had to wait until September to received my forst check for August.
Serena, SSA’s rule is that you must be disabled for five full calendar months from the onset date of your disability before you receive your first monthly check. The onset date is when SSA found you to be disabled. SSA pays back benefits for the months it took to get approved from this onset date. From what you say, it appears that there was no long wait time for you to get approved from the onset date SSA found you to be disabled. This would be why there is no back pay owed to you.
Hello, I am trying to get information for my brother who has had brain surgery back in June/2011 to remove a colloid cyst from th 3rd ventricle of the brain. He also had hydrocephalous.He underwent the surgery to remove the cyst, but he had to have a second surgery to have a lumboperitoneal shunt inserted in his back to control the fluid drainage from the brain. Now, due to where the cyst was sitting he has lost his peripheral vision. He is being seen by an eye doctor and she wants him to register with the NY City for the Blind. He has applied for Medicaid when had the surgery through the Hospital Medicaid office. Now my brother has worked at jobs where he has paid into Social Security and his taxes. My question is should he apply for disability through Social Security? Will he be accepted by declaring he has vision problems and a benign tumor?
A Terry, So sorry about your brother's problems. If he has paid into Social Security through work and has a long-enough work history based on his age to be insured for disability benefits, and his condition is expected to prevent him from working at any job for a year or more, he should apply. Here is a publication from SSA about disability and vision problems called "If You are Blind or Have Low Vision" But, his other medical problems may also be a factor for disability. The decision process is difficult and can take a long time so it's hard to say what the outcome would be without knowing more so If you think you would like a free evaluation of his case and help applying from one of our expert disability advocates, please call 866-347-2910.
I have permanant peroneal nerve damage in my leg and foot from a gun shot injury which pervents me from walking ,standing and sitting for long periods of time w/out unbearable pain and discomfort. All the jobs i ever had was factory and labor work im 37yrs old.I have numbness,tingling,stabbing pains and foot drop.can i get ssi/ssdi?
Melvin, There are many factors involved in getting approved for disability benefits. First, your condition must meet Social Security's definition of disability. Generally, your condition must be so severe it is preventing you from working at any job. Considering your young age, Social Security would want to determine, based on your education, if you could retrain for different work. Even though you have never done office work, for example, they may think you're capable of that kind of work. So proving the severity of your disabillity is one hurdle. Then, for SSI, you have to meet a certain level of income and resources. For SSDI you need a long-enough work history. It 's hard to say if you could get SSI/SSDI without knowing more about your circumstances, so, you certainly have the option to call in to talk to an Eligibility Consultant at 866-347-2910 to get a better idea of your chances for disability benefits.
Last July I suffered a spinal cord injury in the form of an epidural abcess and was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome. I was unable to ambulate and became incontinent which led me to the ER at the hospital. I had emergency sugery to remove the abcess from my spinal cord and relieve the damaging pressure on my nerve roots. After surgery and many weeks of IV antibiotics and physical therapy....I was left with several disabling symptoms. I am currently unable to walk unassissted without the use of a cane or walker resulting from nerve damage weakening my legs, ankles, and feet which makes my condition a fall risk. I am both bladder and bowel incontinent. I endure 24/7 severe pain in my lower lumbar and require strong narcotic pain medication every 4 hours. I have what I have heard referred to as "saddle anesthesia" where I have paralysis in the saddle area. I have no sensation whatsoever in this area. In addition, I have the condition included in the saddle area where I feel as if I am sitting on rocks or small boulders making in impossible to sit for any measurable time...if sitting I am required to constantly reposition and get up from sitting. These symptoms have left me disabled and unable to work my previous type of work or any light duty work where standing stationary or sitting is required. I have applied for SSDI and am in wait mode. I would like your opinion as to what I can expect from an eligibility standpoint. My medical records support all the disabling symptoms I have described but would really like your opinion what to expect as I wait.
Hi, My fiance was diagnosed with Fahr's Disease when he was around 7 yrs old. They told his parents that there is nothing they can do especially since it was a rare disease. They also told him that it will worsen as he got older, probably starting in his 30's. Fast forward to now, he is 37. He has bilateral drop foot, with leg, knee and lower back/weakness pain. The pain is worsening due to being on this feet for at least 7 hours a day with maybe a 30 min break in the morning. The pain is becoming unbearable and he is wanting to see if he qualifies for disability. He has medical records (ie: x-rays, CT Scans, referral letters) from physicians, but nothing in the last 10 years. He has insurance, but it barely covers anything due to his pre-existing condition. Do you think he qualifies for SSI? I was looking on the list of neurological disorders and Fahr's was not listed.
Hi Lisa, Thanks for your post. SSI is a needs-based program available to assist people with few resources and low income. Your fiance's eligibility for SSI would be determined by what resources and income he has, where and how you live, and if he has a qualifying medical condition that meets SSA’s definition of a disability. I dont know if Fahr's is on that list, but there is no harm in just applying and finding out. You can apply for these benefits online by visiting the SSA’s website. Good luck!
Hi my sister is dignoised with mysathenia gravis and is attacking her right now. She is 29 years and also has diabetes.She is going to a specialist doctor by the end of this month. Does not know yet what she is going to do surgery or medications. She is also working right now at preschool but soon will have to stop due to her not able to speak alot and not able to teach due to her getting tired. Will she be able to apply for disability or what can she do.
hi my name is irene im 53 i have ms - diabetes-lost of vision in 1 eye neuropathic pain in feet and legs i have allways work for the past 5yrs i had work 3 jobs a week everyday i lost 1 of my jobs due to company closed 2 yrs ago i just gave 1 up do to not be able to drive all the time i still have 1 of the jobs i have been at this job for 14 yrs iuse to work 30 hours a week but the last 2 yrs i can only work about 16 hrs a week due to that i cant stand or walk for long period of time i think oh i know i need to go on diability i known i have paid into this so what do i do????????
Hi Irene, The first step is to get an evaluation from one of our eligibility consultants. When you call in you’ll be asked some questions about your condition and how it interferes with your ability to work. You’ll also be asked about your work history to help determine if you are insured for benefits, which you said you already are. This free consultation will also give you some guidance on what your next steps should be. I hope you’ll call us at 866-761-5942.
I'm 48, I was injuried in 2002 and I broke my neck in a car accident,,I have had 3 more operations since the accident and I have appilied for benifits and was denied 3 times hwever this time I was approved,,but I'm only be getting less then $1500 per month and a lump-sum less then 12K,,how is one suppose too live on this,,I was a Paramedic for 25yrs and a RN for 12yrs,,I can't work anymore I'm in constant pain,,this is all the help I can get from the Govt?????,,,I have worked and put myself thru Paramedic classes and Nursing school I'm sitting on a nursing degree I can't use anymore,,,is there anymore that can be done???,,,I have over 4000 pages of medical reports since 2002. I just can't beleive after all this time this all I can get too live on.
I have been an interventional radiologist for 40 years wearing a lead apron to protect from radiation I have had several back surgeries and now have lumbar stenosis. My surgeon does not want to do any more. Add to that I have a glioma on my left temporal lobe,(I am right handed so my left side is exposed) which is now affecting my speech, a cancer removed from my left forearm and a cataract removed at aged 50 Am I eligible for SSDI?
Hi Roger, Yes, I think you may be eligible for SSDI. I would advise you speak to one of our Eligibility Consultants. When you call in you’ll be asked about your medical conditions and how they interfere with your daily life. You’ll also be asked about your work history to help determine if you are insured for SSDI benefits. Again, this is a free consultation that will also give you some guidance on what your next steps should be. I hope you’ll call us at 866-761-5942.
My husband is on SSDI and SSI for ESRD (Kidney Failure) and has been for several years. I was diagnosed with Lupus, Heart Problems, Seizures, Migraines, Delusional/Psychotic Major Depression and Agorophobic Anxiety/Panic Disorder in 2009, so I have applied for SSDI myself. We also have a 10 year old child (She is not disabled) at home who fully relies on us for her care. While waiting for my SSDI to be approved, is it possible for me to recieve SSI myself, or will it be awarded under my husands claim if I am entitled to it? Basically I cant determine whether his SSI & SSDI will be considered countable income that will reduce whatever I would be able to receive any SSI that I may be entitled to and Im unsure if my child would be entitled to any additional SSI/SSDI payments under my benefits when I receive them.