Dysthymia is a psychological disorder that is considered to be a form of chronic depression. Typically dysthymia lasts for an extended period of time, sometimes longer than two years. The symptoms of dysthymia can include:

• A frequently depressed mood
• Loss of interest or enjoyment in activities that were once pleasurable
• Low self-esteem or feelings of hopelessness
• Insomnia or excessive sleep
• Trouble concentrating
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts

Applying for Social Security Disability with Dysthymia

Even though dysthymia is often categorized as being a mild form of depression, its symptoms can lead to severe problems that make it very difficult to maintain gainful employment.

In order to qualify for Social Security Disability with dysthymia, you must be suffering from symptoms that significantly limit your ability to work.

Qualifying for SSD with Dysthymia

In order to receive approval for disability benefits, applicants must meet the criteria listed in the Social Security Administration’s blue book. More specifically, you will need to provide clear evidence that you suffer from at least four of the following symptoms:

• Lack of interest or pleasure in activities
• Poor appetite/overeating
• Trouble concentrating
• Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or worthlessness
• Paranoia or hallucinations
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Decreased energy
• Decrease in physical movement
• Suicidal thoughts

Not only do you need to prove that you suffer from a minimum of four of the previous symptoms, but you also need to demonstrate that these symptoms limit your ability to do the following:

• Complete daily living activities
• Function socially
• Concentrate or focus

Providing Medical Evidence

As dysthymia and depression impact each affected individual differently, it is essential that you provide thorough medical evidence of your symptoms. Medical evidence or documentation may include:

• Doctor’s notes detailing the severity of your symptoms and your ability to work and socialize
• A complete history of your treatments and how you have responded
• A summary of past treatments that demonstrate repeated episodes
• History of depression related hospitalizations
• Any other applicable medical records

When collecting medical evidence, remember that you need to demonstrate the severity of your current symptoms as well as any previous history of depression.

The Importance of Having a SSD Attorney When Completing the Application Process

Applying for Social Security Disability for dysthymia can be very difficult because proving the severity of your symptoms can be quite a delicate and challenging process. As receiving approval for SSD can greatly improve your ability to cope and recover from this condition, it is crucial that you seek experienced and qualified legal support. Having an attorney help you assemble your application can greatly increase the likelihood that you will receive the timely approval that you need.

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening hereditary disease that causes thick mucus to develop in the pancreas and lungs. This condition can lead to respiratory problems, high blood pressure, and an increased chance of lung infections. The signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis often include:

• Trouble breathing
• Wheezing
• Persistent cough
• Coughing that produces mucus
• Decreased energy and inability to exercise
• Frequent lung infections

Applying for Social Security Disability Due to Cystic Fibrosis

If you suffer from cystic fibrosis, the side effects and symptoms of this condition can make it difficult for you to perform daily living activities, much less work. If your cystic fibrosis symptoms cause significant trouble breathing or other limiting side effects, you are likely in need of SSD assistance.

Qualifying for SSD Under Cystic Fibrosis Blue Book Requirements

Although Cystic Fibrosis is listed in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book, you will still need to meet specific criteria in order to receive Social Security Disability benefits. In order to satisfy the blue book requirements, an applicant’s cystic fibrosis symptoms must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Significantly Poor Breathing – Your breathing test results must show a FEV1 between 1.45 and 2.05, depending on your height. This is a measure of how much air you are able to exhale in one second.
• Chronic Lung Infections – You experience lung infections at least once every six months that require anti-bacterial treatment, either by a nebulizer or intravenously.
• Pulmonary Exacerbations – You frequently suffer from episodes of pneumonia, respiratory failure, coughing blood, or bronchitis. These episodes must be severe enough to require immediate medical attention and occur at least once every other month or six times each year.
• Doctors Restrictions – Even if you do not meet one of the above physical requirements, your doctor’s opinion can have a significant impact on your eligibility. If your doctor insists that you cannot work because you cannot physically exert yourself, or you need to rest, you may also be eligible for SSD.

Providing Medical Evidence to Qualify for Cystic Fibrosis SSD Benefits

When applying for Social Security Disability benefits, it is essential that you provide thorough medical evidence to support your claim. Medical documentation may include:

• Summarizations of hospitalizations
• Results of breathing tests
• Letters from your physician detailing your limitations
• Past treatments and your response to treatment
• Medical history detailing recurring infections and other repeated symptoms

Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney to Represent Your Case

Even though cystic fibrosis is an extremely serious disease, it can still be quite difficult to receive approval for Social Security Disability benefits. An experienced SSD attorney can help you prepare a complete and thorough application.

A torn ACL, which is largely associated with sports injuries, occurs when ligaments are torn in the knee. The knee joint is formed where the femur and tibia meet at the kneecap. The ACL is a small, but very important ligament that stabilizes the knee.

Signs that you have torn your ACL include:

• A loud popping sound during physical activity
• Intense pain
• Inability to bear weight
• Swelling

The Social Security Disability Application Process with a Torn ACL

A torn ACL is extremely painful and permanently affects the mobility of the knee and leg. A torn ACL can affect your ability to work, especially if your job requires that you stand, walk, or carry heavy items. It is difficult to receive SSD benefits for a torn ACL, so before applying, be sure to consider the following:

Previous Work Experience – If your past jobs have required heavy lifting, kneeling, crawling or crouching, it will likely be impossible for you to return to work. The SSA will evaluate your maximum sustained work capability to determine if you are capable of being retrained to work a less physically demanding job.

Surgery – In many cases, those who have suffered a torn ACL require extensive surgery. If your surgery and healing process lasts longer than 12 consecutive months, you may be eligible for SSD.

Arthritis – Those who tear their ACL have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis. If you have developed this condition, and can no longer walk without assistance, your Social Security Disability claim will have a greater chance of being approved.

Pain and Immobility – In some cases, surgeries and treatments restore all mobility and relieve all pain. In other cases the injured area remains immobile or in a constant state of pain. The severity of your symptoms and immobility will dictate the future of your Social Security Disability case.

Medical Documentation Necessary to Receive Social Security Disability Benefits

To qualify for disability benefits, you will need to provide thorough medical evidence that demonstrates the limitations of your condition. You will need to provide all relevant medical history from each physician that has treated your torn ACL. Documentation includes:

• Imaging reports from MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays
• Doctors’ notes detailing your progress and symptoms
• History of treatments and your response to these treatments
• List of medications taken and any side effects experienced
• Any other relevant medical reports

Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney for Your Torn ACL Application

Even though a torn ACL is a serious and debilitating injury, it does not often result in approval for disability benefits. The SSA assumes that those who have suffered from a torn ACL will be able to recover and go back to work in six months or less, and therefore do not quality for assistance. However, there are many circumstances in which a torn ACL makes it impossible for the injured party to return to work.

If a torn ACL has prevented you from working and you wish to apply for disability benefits, a Social Security Disability attorney will be one of your greatest assets. He or she will provide professional, legal representation and the guidance needed to submit a strong SSD application.

Pain or discomfort in the neck can be attributed to damage caused by an injury or condition. Conditions known to cause serious neck problems include meningitis, herniated discs, or pinched nerves.

Symptoms that often accompany neck pain include:

• Aches and pain in the neck, face or shoulders
• Tingling or numbness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Stiffness in the neck or shoulders

Applying for Social Security Disability with Neck Pain and Neck Problems

If an applicant’s symptoms are severe enough to keep him or her from working, they may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Approval for SSD will depend largely on the cause of the applicant’s neck pain and the severity of any resulting limitations.

Although neck pain is not specifically listed in the Social Security Administration (SSA) blue book, many common causes of neck pain are. Here are some of the most common conditions that an applicant with neck pain may qualify under:

• Spinal root compression – Symptoms include limited movement of the spine, muscle weakness, loss of feeling, loss of reflexes, and pain
• Spinal arachnoiditis – Symptoms include severe pain caused by inflammation that can only be relieved by changing positions approximately every 2 hours.
• Joint dysfunction
• Rheumatoid Arthritis

To be approved for Social Security Disability benefits, applicants will need to demonstrate that he or she cannot work due to intense neck pain and limited mobility.

Necessary Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability Benefits

The key to qualifying for disability benefits is providing accurate and comprehensive medical documentation that outlines your condition and symptoms. Documentation may include:

• Summarization of all neck pain related hospitalizations
• Doctors’ notes detailing symptoms and responses to treatment
• Lab test results and medical imaging
• Proof of treatments and the body’s response to those treatments

Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney

Although neck pain can be serious, it is not always easy to prove. Many people are denied Social Security benefits each year because they are unable to provide evidence proving the extent of their condition. An experienced Social Security Disability attorney will know exactly which documents and exams are needed to be awarded benefits. Not only will a professional be able to simplify the application process, but he or she will increase your chances of receiving disability benefits.

Memory loss can be caused by a multitude of things. The most common causes of memory loss include medications, psychological disorders, dementia, nutritional deficiency, and head injuries. This condition can affect both short-term and long-term memory.

Symptoms of memory loss include:

• Confusion
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Unpredictable mood changes
• Forgetting common words or names
• Misplacing items
• Forgetting how to use common items
• Trouble following directions

Applying for Social Security Disability for Memory Loss

Memory loss can make working difficult – in some cases, impossible. If an applicant’s symptoms are severe, they may qualify for disability benefits.

Qualifying for SSD

In order to qualify for disability benefits, applicants must suffer from one or more of the following symptoms:

• Disorientation—especially regarding time and location
• Short or long-term memory impairment
• Hallucinations
• Abrupt change in personality or mood
• Loss of 15 or more IQ points

Before applying for Social Security Disability benefits, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do your symptoms cause marked restriction of daily activities?
• Do your symptoms cause difficulties maintaining social interactions?
• Do your symptoms cause difficulties concentrating?
• Do your symptoms cause repeated episodes of decompensation?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you may be eligible for disability benefits.

Necessary Medical Documentation

Because the causes and symptoms of memory loss vary from person to person, it is important to have accurate and thorough medical documentation. This will make it much easier for the SSA to evaluate your case and determine whether or not your specific symptoms qualify.

Medical documentation should include:

• A summary of memory loss related hospital and clinic visits
• Doctors’ notes detailing your history of symptoms and how they affect your skills and abilities
• A history of treatments and how you responded to them
• Any relevant medical evaluations and lab results related to memory loss

Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney

Whether you are applying for SSD yourself or helping a relative who is experiencing memory loss, hiring an experienced Social Security Disability attorney will increase your chances of being approved.

Many people suffering from debilitating memory loss will be denied Social Security Disability benefits simply because they do not understand the application process. A professional will help you present your case completely and effectively.

Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by excessive cerebrospinal fluid in the skull. In a healthy body cerebrospinal fluid provides cushion between the brain and the skull.

Symptoms of Hydrocephalus include:

• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Poor balance or coordination
• Nerve damage
• Incontinence
• Memory loss

Apply for Social Security Disability for Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus symptoms are serious and restricting. The longer that hydrocephalus goes untreated, the more severe the symptoms will become. Treatments for hydrocephalus are often quite invasive and involve surgery. Therefore, those who suffer from hydrocephalus often find it difficult or impossible to work.

Although hydrocephalus is not specifically listed in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book, applicants with Hydrocephalus often have symptoms or related conditions that can qualify under other listings.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability with Hydrocephalus

Depending on an applicant’s specific circumstances, he or she may qualify under the following listings:

• Organic mental disorders
• Epilepsy— caused by the surgical placement of a shunt used to relieve hydrocephalus
• Cerebral trauma
• Soft tissue tumors of the head and neck—causing hydrocephalus

Before applying for disability benefits, consider the following questions:

• Do you have significant problems with coordination, balance, or motor function?
• Do you have muscle weakness or fatigue to the extent that it is difficult to perform physical activities?
• Do you have trouble concentrating or suffer from memory loss?
• Have you suffered changes in personality or mood, making social interactions difficult
• Have you suffered sensory limitations such as blurred vision or hearing loss?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

Medical Documentation Necessary to Qualify for SSD

Because hydrocephalus is not directly listed in the SSA blue book, it is essential that the applicant provide medical evidence demonstrating that he or she suffers from symptoms that make it impossible to work.

This documentation may include:

• Doctors’ notes detailing the severity, duration and frequency of symptoms
• History and summary of past Hydrocephalus related hospitalizations
• History of treatments, surgeries, and medications
• Applicant’s response to treatments, surgeries, and medications
• Results of any lab tests or evaluations
• Any relevant documents proving physical limitations

Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney

Even though hydrocephalus is an extremely dangerous condition, especially when left untreated, it does not always qualify an applicant for disability benefits. This is largely because proving one’s limitations requires extensive work and research.

You can simplify the process by enlisting the help of an experienced Social Security Disability attorney. A professional will understand the intricacies of Social Security requirements and qualifications. He or she will know how to assemble an accurate, complete application. Proper legal representation will increase an applicant’s chances of being approved for disability benefits.

Chronic migraines are neurologically based headaches that can last for several hours to several days at a time.

Symptoms of chronic migraines include:

• Pulsating, throbbing pain, sometimes affecting only one side of the head
• Headaches worsened by physical activity
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea/Vomiting

Applying for Social Security Disability with Chronic Migraines

Although the occasional headache may not prevent someone from holding a job, severe chronic migraines can.

During a migraine, an individual may be forced to spend several days in bed, avoiding all light and sound and although there are medications to treat migraines, they often cause dizziness and fatigue. Migraine symptoms combined with medication side effects can make it impossible to hold a job.

If you or a loved one is unable to work because of chronic migraines, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability assistance.

SSD Requirements for Chronic Migraine Sufferers

The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that an applicant’s migraines cause significant limitations that prohibit him or her from working.

Consider these questions:

• During a migraine, can the applicant perform physical activities such as walking, lifting, or standing for extended periods of time?
• During a migraine, can the applicant concentrate, understand instructions, or participate in social situations?
• Does the applicant have a history of missing work because of migraines?

Necessary Medical Documentation Needed to Apply for SSD for Chronic Migraines

Because there is no definitive diagnostic test used to determine if someone suffers from chronic migraines, there are specific requirements that automatically qualify applicants for disability benefits. Applicants will need to provide clear and substantial medical documentation that proves they suffer from chronic migraines. Documentation can include:

• Records from any clinic or hospital visits in relation to migraines
• Results of any tests or lab work that rule out other conditions
• Lists of medications and treatments
• Applicants response to medications and treatments
• Doctors’ notes regarding the frequency and severity of headaches
• Any relevant medical documentation that illustrates a history of chronic migraines and how the condition and its treatments have stopped you from working

Hiring Legal Representation When Applying for Social Security Disability for Chronic Migraines

Because chronic migraines are not easily diagnosed, many applicants are denied approval each year simply because they cannot provide evidence that migraines limit their ability to work. A Social Security Disability attorney will help an applicant produce the evidence needed to qualify for disability benefits.

A bursa is a tiny fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between the tissues in the body, generally located in the joints. Bursae provide a slick surface so there is no friction between your tendons and joints as your move around. Bursitis is a condition that occurs when a bursa becomes infected, inflamed, or irritated.

Bursitis typically occurs in major joints such as the knees, elbows, shoulders and hips. The symptoms of bursitis include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Redness
• Swelling
• Aches

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Bursitis

If your bursitis symptoms are severe, sitting, standing, and walking can become extremely difficult. In some cases, bursitis can make it nearly impossible to perform activities of daily living or any kind of work. Therefore, if you or a loved one suffers from bursitis, you may consider applying for Social Security Disability benefits.

Although bursitis is not specifically listed in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Blue Book, an applicant’s symptoms may meet the qualifications of another listing.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability with Bursitis

Many bursitis cases are evaluated as “Major Joint Dysfunction.” If your bursitis symptoms have caused chronic pain or immobility of a major joint, you may be eligible for disability benefits under “Major Joint Dysfunction.”

In order to qualify, your bursitis must be affecting your joints to the point that you are no longer able to perform the physical tasks necessary to work. To determine this, you must meet one of the following requirements:

• You are unable to walk at a reasonable pace without the assistance of medical equipment
• You must have assistance traveling to school or work
• You are unable to use your arms to reach, push, pull, grasp, or carry

Medical Evidence Necessary to Apply for SSD with Bursitis

To qualify for benefits, the applicant will need to provide medical documentation that proves major joint dysfunction limits his or her ability to work. This documentation can include:

• Medical history of treatments and medications
• Doctors’ notes detailing symptoms, history, and applicant’s ability to work
• History of bursitis related hospitalizations
• Any applicable medical images

Hiring a Social Security Attorney

Applying for disability benefits is never simple. Because bursitis is not specifically listed in the Blue Book, the application process may prove to be even more challenging. In order to qualify, you must provide thorough medical evidence. A Social Security Disability attorney can help you avoid making mistakes or overlooking important information.

A bone spur, or osteophyte, is a small growth that forms on top of normal bone. These extra growths can go undetected for long periods of time until they press against other bones, ligaments, nerves, or soft tissue. Bone spurs most commonly on the spine, hands, hips, shoulders, knees and feet.

Bone spurs that form near major joints can cause the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Difficulty moving joints
• Weakness and numbness
• Swelling

Applying for Social Security Disability with Bone Spurs

Depending on where bone spurs are located, they can go unnoticed by some, or cause serious pain and damage in others. Bone spurs can tear at joints and ligaments, making it painful to walk and move. In severe cases, bone spurs can make it impossible to maintain gainful employment.

Bone spurs are not directly listed in the SSA blue book. In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, applicants will need to provide medical evidence that bone spurs have led to symptoms that keep them from working.

Requirements

Because bone spurs can form in many areas of the body, applicants with bone spurs may qualify for disability benefits under several different listings. These include:

Disorders of the Spine – Bone spurs have developed on the applicant’s spine and have:

• Compressed a nerve root in his or her spine, limiting movement, causing weakness, loss of reflexes, or numbness
• Narrowed the applicant’s spinal canal, resulting in weakness, pain, and difficulty walking

Dysfunction of a major joint – The applicant must provide medical evidence that a bone spur has caused:

• Joint instability, chronic pain, and stiffness

-Or-

• Complete inability to use the affected joint.

Inflammatory Arthritis – The underlying cause of a bone spur may be inflammatory arthritis. Applicants may qualify under this listing if the condition is severe enough to limit arm and leg movement.

Medical Evidence Necessary to Apply for SSD with Bone Spurs

In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits with bone spurs, applicants will need to provide adequate medical evidence proving that bone spurs make you unable work.

The medical evidence may include:

• Medical imaging including MRIs, CT scans, or x-rays of the affected joint
• History of treatments and medications
• Results of physical examinations
• Relevant lab work
• Doctors’ notes describing symptoms and limitations

Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney for Your Bone Spur Claim

Because an experienced Social Security Disability attorney is familiar with the application process, they will help you present a strong case. If you wish to simplify the process, do not hesitate to seek legal guidance.

Asperger’s syndrome is a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum. Although autism and Asperger’s syndrome have similarities, individuals with Asperger’s syndrome are typically high functioning and have a normal degree of intelligence. Asperger’s syndrome affects social behaviors and interactions.

Symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome include:

• A limited range of interests – may become hyper focused on just one or two subjects
• Poor verbal communication skills – monotonous speech and long one-sided conversations
• Poor nonverbal communication skills – no eye contact and awkward body language
• Repetitive behavior
• Difficulty empathizing with others
• Depression/Anxiety

Applying for Social Security Disability with Asperger’s Syndrome

As individuals with Asperger’s syndrome grow older, they often find it becomes increasingly difficult to cope with their condition. Because social interaction is extremely challenging for those with Asperger’s syndrome, finding and maintaining a job can be difficult. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. If that is the case, you may want to apply for SSDI or SSI.

Asperger’s Syndrome in the Social Security Disability Blue Book

Because Asperger’s syndrome is an Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is among the conditions that qualify for disability benefits. Asperger’s syndrome is classified in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book under autistic disorders and other pervasive developmental disorders.

Severity Requirements for Asperger’s Syndrome SSD Approval

To be approved for disability benefits with Asperger’s syndrome, the following requirements must be met:

• Noticeable difficulties participating in reciprocal social interaction
• Noticeable difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication
• Trouble participating in imaginative activities
• Significantly limited number of interests

The condition must also cause at least two of the following:

• Restrictions of activities of daily living
• Significant difficulty socializing with others
• Difficulty maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace
• Repeated and extended episodes of decompensation

Medical Documents Required for SSD Approval with Asperger’s Syndrome

In order to be approved for Social Security Disability, medical documentation must demonstrate that the applicant has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and that his or her symptoms prohibit them from working.

This medical evidence can include:

• Results of psychiatric tests
• Psychiatric evaluations
• Letters from physicians detailing symptoms and impairments
• Medical history

When compiling medical documentation, it is crucial to demonstrate the severity, duration, and frequency of the applicant’s symptoms.

The Importance of Having a Social Security Disability Attorney

A disability lawyer will help present your case accurately and increase your chances of being approved.