Although treatment, medical documentation and compliance are critical, there are types of conditions which are more likely than others in a finding of disability.
People with spinal issues or arthritic conditions, (chronic pain causing conditions) are the largest group, comprising 35% of those receiving SSDI. However, proving pain is not easy. There must be a medically documented condition that is expected to cause the pain you are experiencing. There must be subjective testing supporting the objective complaints. Not everyone can afford these expensive tests, but they are necessary to receive benefits for Pain.
People with cancer only make up 9.5% of disabled workers receiving benefits. This is likely true because due to the wonderful advances in medicine, most cancers and treatments do not remain disabling for 12 months or longer.
Heart conditions make up about 10% and blindness/hearing loss/nervous system issues encompass about 8% of the whole.
Mental conditions come in as the second largest group, making up 18% of the SSDI population. For this type of impairment more than others, SSA looks at compliance, drug abuse and relies heavily on the treating doctor’s opinions. About half of this group is receiving disability due to depression/anxiety or other mood disorders.
There are roughly 100 conditions that SSA almost always recognizes quickly as disabling. These are referred to as, “compassionate allowances.” They are conditions for which improvement or long term maintenance are not options, and they will most certainly result in death.