Having a functional limitation means you may have a chance of being eligible for social security disability benefits. This condition is prevalent if you have problems with undertaking simple tasks required to lead a normal life including driving and going to work.
The symptoms of chronic anemia can include feeling tired or weak, experiencing shortness of breath, feeling faint and a rapid heartbeat. This can make it difficult to do jobs like delivery driver that require full concentration for the duration of a journey.
Qualifying For Disability Benefits With a Functional Limitation
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently added a new Blue Book listing that includes adult blood disorders, which is 7.18. Those with severe chronic anemia may qualify if they are experiencing chronic fatigue, pain and shortness of breath which limits the ability to complete everyday tasks in a reasonable time.
For those that do not meet the requirements in the Blue Book listing, the SSA has created the Medical Vocational Allowance. This is specific to you and your job. You will be assessed based on your functional limitations and your skills to see if you are able to work or you are still young enough to learn new skills.
What to Expect When Applying For SSD with a Medical Vocational Allowance
If you decide to access the medical vocational allowance you will need to get the results of a residual functional capacity (RFC) test conducted by your doctor.
When attending this test you will be asked to take part in physical and mental tests which may include your ability to lift a heavy weight like 50 lbs., an eyesight test and a test which will assess the quality of your mental ability.
The SSA will also conduct a review of your medical and work history and determine how long your chronic anemia is likely to last and whether you can use other skills which would permit you to work in another occupation.
Next Steps to Take
Next you will need to gather all of the documentation, work history and medical records, which confirm you are unable to work for at least 12 months with chronic anemia. Tests used to diagnose anemia are a complete blood count (CBC).
The CBC measures many parts of your blood. The test checks your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body. Your doctor’s most recent medical report may help you too.
A Disability Attorney Increases Your Chances of Success
Filing a claim for SSD using the medical vocational allowance offered by the SSA is never easy to win. However, a disability attorney highly experienced with winning these sorts of claims offers a better chance of winning your claim for chronic anemia.
