Can You Be Automatically Approved for Social Security Disability?
Question: I really need my disability claim to be approved immediately. I want to know if I will automatically be eligible for disability. Are there certain medical conditions that are automatically approved for Social Security Disability?
Answer: There are no “automatic” wins in disability. In short, a doctor diagnosing you with a particular illness or injury will not qualify you for disability benefits. It is not about whether you have a specific condition. Social Security is more concerned with how your condition (or combination of conditions) limits your ability to perform work activity.
The Social Security Administration follows a five-step sequential evaluation process when evaluating a claim for disability benefits. That being said, some conditions are more likely to win than others, and some conditions are more likely to win earlier in the disability review process than others.
Perhaps an example will help you understand this concept. Because back pain is the most common physical disorder in disability applications, we’ll use an example of a back pain condition involving herniated discs in the lower back or lumber spine (L-Spine).
Let’s say you have two men, Alex and Brad, who have herniated discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1, with the same amount of disc protrusions. Both men are construction workers by trade.
Alex has a high pain tolerance, and he only has a little discomfort or limitations from his herniated discs. He rates his pain as a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1-10. He can take Lortab in the morning and feel well enough to perform a full day of work (although he is in pretty good pain when he gets home).
Bradley, however, has a very low pain tolerance. He rates his pain as an 8 or 9 on a 1-10 scale. Even after he takes his Lortab, his pain is at a 7. The pain radiates to his arms and legs. He has numbness and tingling in his hands, limiting his grip strength and ability to handle objects. He can barely get out of bed due to his pain, and the pain interferes with his ability to maintain focus and concentration on even routine things.
Alex would not qualify for disability benefits because he can still perform work activities. However, given the extent and severity of his back condition, Brad may be eligible for benefits.
The same concept applies to mental conditions such as anxiety and depression. Some patients diagnosed with depression perform pretty well on a day-to-day basis with counseling and medications. However, others who have been diagnosed with severe depression may have difficulty with concentration, persistence, and pace, have a hard time being around other people, and break down pretty quickly in stressful situations – even while undergoing counseling and taking proper medications.
A Social Security Disability Attorney Can Help Get Your Claim Approved
It is not about the diagnosis you have, but how it limits you from performing work activities that matters. Because your specific condition will not alone predict whether you will win or lose your Social Security Disability claim, you should speak with an attorney.
Nick Ortiz is a Pensacola Social Security Disability attorney who represents claimants nationwide. He and the experienced legal team at Ortiz Law Firm will help you present your case in a way that showcases how your limitations affect your ability to work. Call us at (888) 321-8131 to schedule your free case review today.
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