To qualify as an adult for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits in Tennessee, you must show that you have a disabling, medically determinable impairment in addition to other requirements. In other words, you must show through widely accepted medical techniques that you suffer from a condition that prevents you from working.
In the Blue Book, the Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps a list of common physical and mental impairments that are so severe that a person is considered to be disabled if they can prove they suffer from the condition. Even if your condition is not specifically listed in the Blue Book, you can still establish that you are disabled if you can provide medical evidence that shows that your condition is equal to a listed condition.
Reasons Why You Need Our Tennessee SSD Attorneys
Showing that they have a medically determinable impairment is a challenge many people face when they file for SSD benefits in Tennessee. If you fail to provide the SSA with complete and up-to-date medical evidence supporting your disability claim, it can leave reviewers without the information they need to approve your benefits.
That is one reason why you need an experienced SSD benefits attorney from The Terry Law Firm as you move ahead with your claim. Ensuring your claim contains supporting medical evidence is one of the many services our lawyers with a background in handling disability cases can provide.
Since 1960, people in East Tennessee have chosen The Terry Law Firm for not only our proven track record of success but also for our compassionate client service. We are ready to take the stress off you as you apply for SSD benefits.
To learn more, contact us today and receive a free initial case review. Our legal team can answer your questions and outline all your options for moving forward.
Overview of Social Security Disability in Tennessee
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a form of earned social insurance. It provides partial income replacement benefits to disabled workers and their dependents. Whether you qualify for SSDI benefits in Tennessee will come down to showing that you are disabled and that you qualify for disability benefits based on your work history.
According to the SSA’s definition, you are considered to be disabled if you cannot work due to a medical condition that has lasted or is expected to last at least one year or result in death. If you have paid enough in Social Security taxes, or at least half of the working quarters since age 21, you should meet the work history requirement.
After you apply for benefits, you should receive a notice informing you that your claim is approved or denied. If denied – and most claims are initially rejected – you will have 60 days to file a request for reconsideration. If your claim is denied again, you will have 60 days to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). If the judge denies your claim, you can further appeal.
At every point, from your initial application through all stages of an appeal, it will be crucial to ensure the record in your case has all the necessary medical evidence and other supporting documentation.
Common Qualifying Impairments for SSD Benefits in Tennessee
To qualify for SSD benefits, you must show that your medically determinable impairment is either listed in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments or Blue Book or that it is equally disabling as a listed one. The SSA does not recognize short-term or partial disabilities as qualifying health conditions.
The SSA breaks the listed impairments into 14 categories with examples of common qualifying medical conditions:
- Cardiovascular system — Chronic heart failure
- Digestive system — Colitis, hepatitis, liver disease, Crohn’s disease
- Endocrine disorders — Diabetes
- Genitourinary — Kidney failure
- Hematological disorders — Sickle cell disease, hemophilia
- Immune system disorders — Lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Malignant neoplastic diseases — Cancer, mesothelioma
- Mental disorders — Anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia
- Multiple body systems — Mosaic/non-mosaic Down syndrome, caudal regression syndrome
- Musculoskeletal system — Fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated disc, lumbar stenosis, osteoarthritis
- Neurological — Stroke, seizure disorder, traumatic brain injury
- Respiratory system — Asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Skin disorders — Ichthyosis, chronic skin diseases
- Special senses and speech — Vision loss, hearing loss
In addition to determining whether you have a qualifying medically determinable impairment, your disability determination will also be based on your past work experience, age, education, and work skills.
Challenges in Proving Disability for Social Security Disability Benefits
Showing that you have a qualifying disability can be a complicated process. When you apply for SSD benefits or appeal the denial of your claim, you must ensure that you provide a statement from your doctor as well as complete and current medical records, which may include copies of X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other tests that were conducted to diagnose your condition. You may also need to undergo an independent medical examination.
How Our Tennessee SSD Attorneys Can Help with Your SSD Claim
When you work with The Terry Law Firm on your SSD benefits claim, you can count on us to help ease your stress. While you focus on your health, we can consult with your healthcare providers, gather the medical evidence and all other information the SSA will need to decide your claim and make a powerful case on why you deserve to have your benefits claim approved.
We will also keep you updated throughout your case and promptly respond to your inquiries. We are a family firm focused on providing our clients with the highest level of personalized service.
Talk to Our Experienced Tennessee Social Security Disability Lawyers Today
Since 1960, The Terry Law Firm has been helping disabled workers throughout East Tennessee seek the disability benefits they need and deserve. As a small-town law firm with big-city know-how, we are proud to provide both top-quality legal representation and outstanding client service.
To learn more about how we can help with your disability benefits claim, including establishing that you suffer from a qualifying impairment, contact us today. We are ready to provide a free initial review of your case.