1. Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common disabilities, affecting millions of people. These conditions involve the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which help with movement and stability. Common musculoskeletal issues include:
- Arthritis: Causes joint inflammation, leading to stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility.
- Back pain: Often results from injury, overuse, or age-related changes in the spine. It can limit a person’s ability to stand, walk, or lift.
These conditions can make everyday tasks—like walking, lifting, or climbing stairs—hard. Many individuals with musculoskeletal disorders struggle to work. Musculoskeletal disorders are common and affect movement, making them a leading reason people apply for disability benefits.
2. Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, are increasingly recognized as disabilities. These conditions can severely impact both mental and physical health. For example:
- Depression: Leads to feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, which can affect work and relationships.
- Anxiety: Causes constant worry, panic attacks, and physical symptoms like headaches or stomach issues.
- PTSD: Triggered by traumatic events, this condition can lead to flashbacks, severe anxiety, and nightmares.
These disorders affect emotional well-being and can also lead to physical health problems. These problems include sleep issues, digestive troubles, and chronic pain. Many individuals with mental health disorders may qualify for disability benefits to help manage daily challenges.
3. Respiratory Disorders
Respiratory disorders can significantly impact your ability to breathe and carry out physical activities. Two common conditions in this category are:
- Asthma: A chronic condition that causes the airways to narrow and swell, leading to breathing difficulties, wheezing, and coughing. Asthma attacks can happen due to allergens, exercise, or stress, making it difficult for people to be active.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A progressive disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD leads to ongoing breathing issues and reduced airflow, causing tiredness, shortness of breath, and trouble with daily activities.
These conditions limit your ability to engage in activities that require stamina, such as walking or climbing stairs. People with serious breathing problems may need constant oxygen or regular medical help. This can affect your quality of life and work ability. Because of this, you may qualify for disability benefits.
If you have these conditions and believe you may qualify for Disability, contact us for a free case evaluation.
4. Cardiovascular Disorders
Cardiovascular disorders, including heart disease and high blood pressure, are leading causes of disability. These conditions affect the heart and blood vessels, reducing the body’s ability to circulate blood efficiently. Common cardiovascular issues include:
- Heart disease: Involves narrowed or blocked blood vessels, which can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, or strokes. It often results in fatigue and shortness of breath, making even routine activities difficult.
- High blood pressure: Known as hypertension, this condition can lead to heart failure, kidney disease, and vision problems if left untreated. It increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
These disorders can lead to tiredness, weakness, and difficulty moving, impacting your work and daily activities. If you have severe cardiovascular disorders, you may qualify for disability benefits. These benefits can help cover medical expenses and living costs.
5. Nervous System Disorders
Nervous system disorders affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, leading to problems with motor skills, coordination, and even cognitive function. Some common conditions include:
- Epilepsy: A neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures. These seizures can affect consciousness, movement, and overall coordination, making it dangerous to perform everyday activities like driving.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): A disease where the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves. MS can cause fatigue, difficulty walking, and a loss of coordination and muscle control over time.
- Parkinson’s disease: A progressive disorder affecting movement, often starting with tremors in one hand. As it advances, it can lead to stiffness, slowed movement, and balance issues.
These conditions can significantly affect your motor skills, coordination, and independence. Tasks that need small hand movements, like writing or cooking, can become very hard. In serious cases, you may need full help from caregivers. Many people with nervous system disorders qualify for disability benefits due to the profound impact on their daily lives.
6. Endocrine Disorders
Endocrine disorders involve imbalances in the body’s hormones, which can lead to chronic health problems. The most common examples include:
- Diabetes: Affects how the body processes blood sugar. People with diabetes need to manage their condition daily through medication, diet, and regular blood sugar monitoring. Complications like nerve damage, kidney failure, and vision problems can occur if not well-managed.
- Thyroid disorders: Conditions like hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) disrupt metabolism and energy levels, leading to fatigue, weight changes, and temperature sensitivity.
These conditions require long-term management, often involving medication, frequent doctor visits, and lifestyle changes. Failure to manage endocrine disorders can result in serious complications, which may make individuals eligible for disability benefits if the conditions become unmanageable.
7. Cancer
Cancer changes your life. Some types of cancer are considered disabilities. This is true when they make it hard to work or do daily tasks.
For example, lung, brain, and bone cancers are often seen as disabling. This is due to the heavy toll they take on the body.
Even after successful treatment, cancer survivors may face ongoing challenges. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries can lead to lasting side effects like fatigue, weakened immune systems, and chronic pain. These long-term effects can limit mobility, endurance, and the ability to return to work, making individuals eligible for disability benefits to help them cope with these ongoing struggles.
You shouldn’t have to worry about money while you are fighting this disease. Social Security Disability can take some of that burden off. If you have gotten a cancer diagnosis, reach out to us to see if you qualify. We can help you with the application process so you have one less thing to worry about while you focus on healing.
8. Digestive System Disorders
Digestive system issues like Crohn’s disease and IBS can greatly affect your quality of life. These conditions often cause symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.
- Crohn’s disease: A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the digestive tract. It can lead to severe pain, weight loss, and malnutrition.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A disorder that affects the large intestine and can cause cramping, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.
Both conditions make it difficult to maintain a regular work schedule due to unpredictable symptoms and frequent medical appointments. If you have a severe case of these disorders, you may qualify for disability benefits, as managing your health becomes a full-time challenge.
9. Immune System Disorders
Immune system disorders like lupus and HIV weaken the body, making it difficult to fight infections and stay healthy.
- Lupus: An autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, causing inflammation, pain, and organ damage. People with lupus often experience extreme fatigue, joint pain, and frequent illness.
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): Attacks the immune system, reducing its ability to fight infections and certain cancers. Without proper treatment, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which severely compromises the immune system.
These disorders not only increase vulnerability to infections but can also cause chronic fatigue, pain, and other complications that affect daily life and work performance. People with advanced immune system disorders may qualify for disability benefits to help manage the challenges of living with these conditions.
10. Skin Disorders
Severe skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema can cause significant physical discomfort and disrupt daily life.
- Psoriasis: An autoimmune condition that accelerates skin cell production, leading to painful, itchy, and scaly patches on the skin. It can also cause joint pain (psoriatic arthritis) and is often worsened by stress or infection.
- Eczema: A condition that causes the skin to become inflamed, itchy, and cracked. Frequent flare-ups can lead to severe discomfort and infection, particularly when the skin is broken.
These disorders can limit your ability to work or engage in physical activities, especially if symptoms are visible or painful. Managing severe cases often requires long-term medical care, making individuals eligible for disability benefits to ease the burden.
