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Social Security Disability for Physical Illnesses

There are two ways to get Social Security disability benefits for physical illnesses or injuries. For about 100 medical conditions, Social Security lists the exact requirements that the specific illness or injury must meet to qualify for benefits. For physical impairments that don't meet the requirements, Social Security will assess the applicant's medical condition and decide whether the applicant is capable of doing heavy, medium, light, or sedentary work. This assessment, as well as the applicant's age, job history, and education, will inform the agency's ultimate decision on whether the applicant is eligible for disability benefits.

Profound hearing loss can greatly limit or even eliminate a person's ability to work.

Vestibular balance disorders refers to disorders of the vestibular system, a complex structure in the inner ear that works with other body systems to maintain balance.

Osteoarthritis can be disabling whether it's in your hands, wrists, knees, hips, or back.

If your DDD results in work restrictions that rule out all jobs, you can qualify for disability benefits.

It's difficult, but not impossible, to get disability benefits if you can't work regularly due to severe migraines.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that causes changes to the nervous system that can make it difficult to work.

If you have difficulty communicating or moving your limbs after a stroke, you could qualify for disability benefits.

High blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, is when the force of blood in the arteries stays at an elevated level. High blood pressure is considered to be anything over 140/90.

Whether or not you'll get Social Security disability for a serious heart condition depends on the specific symptoms and limitations in your medical records.

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Qualifying for Social Security disability benefits for cancer can be straightforward for some aggressive cancers.

To qualify for SSDI benefits or SSI based on breast cancer, you must be unable to work and your breast cancer must have lasted for one year or more -- or be expected to last a year or more.

If symptoms of your celiac disease or gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) are severe enough, you may qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits.

Social Security's disability listings outline how you can qualify for disability benefits when you have HIV or AIDS.

If you meet the requirements of a listing set out in Social Security's list of qualifying impairments or show that he or she is unable to work, you may qualify for disability benefits for lupus.

If you have severe symptoms of asthma or COPD that keep you out of work for at least one year, you may qualify for disability.

Sleep apnea is a fairly common condition where a person stops breathing briefly while sleeping.

An individual may qualify for Social Security disability benefits based on uncontrolled diabetes or related symptoms like peripheral neuropathy or poor vision.

If you have medical evidence showing significant limitations from a thyroid disorder, you may be eligible for disability benefits.

If you have severe liver disease or bowel syndrome, or another digestive illness that causes gastrointestinal hemorrhaging or weight loss, you may be able to get disability benefits.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can significantly affect your ability to work a full-time job. Find out if you can get disability benefits if you can no longer work.

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