Tennessee Social Security Disability Conditions and Treatment Information

When an illness or injury is so severe that it interferes with your ability to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. The Social Security Administration lists a wide range of health conditions that could be considered disabilities, depending on their severity, and any applicant for SSDI must be able to provide sufficient medical evidence showing his or her condition is disabling.

Applying for SSDI is a lengthy and complicated process. You may be asked to provide extensive documentation of your health history and past employment, as well as statements from family, friends, and colleagues that show your disability has interfered with your ability to work and to function as you once did. The SSA routinely denies first-time SSD applicants, especially when applications aren’t accompanied by all the necessary supporting evidence.

John R. Colvin has more than 15 years of experience helping clients with their SSD claims, providing the individualized service that you won’t find at large big box, multi-associate law firms.

Call our office today to find out how we can help you: (931) 962-1044

Disability Definitions

The SSA lists 14 categories for adult disabilities, and each category includes specific conditions. Following is an overview of those categories and some of the included conditions:

  • Musculoskeletal System – Spinal disorders, fractures of the femur, tibia, pelvis that significantly impair mobility for 12 months or longer, and major joint dysfunction
  • Special Senses and Speech – Inner ear disorders such as Meniere’s Disease, and the loss of speech, vision, or hearing
  • Respiratory System – Cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic lung infections, and severe sleep apnea
  • Cardiovascular System – Chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and symptomatic congenital heart disease
  • Digestive System – Chronic liver disease, digestive disorders that cause weight loss, and inflammatory bowel disease
  • Genitourinary Disorders – Chronic kidney disease requiring kidney transplant or dialysis
  • Hematological Disorders – Sickle cell disease, bone marrow disorders, and hemophilia
  • Skin Disorders – Severe burns and infections or diseases that result in extensive skin lesions for a duration of three months or more
  • Endocrine Disorders – Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and disorders of the adrenal and pituitary glands
  • Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems – Non-mosaic Down syndrome (requiring a laboratory report that confirms the presence of extra chromosomes)
  • Neurological – Epilepsy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and traumatic brain injury
  • Mental Disorders – Substance abuse disorders, schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorders, and anxiety-related disorders
  • Cancer (malignant neoplastic disease) – Leukemia, lymphoma, and cancers of the soft tissues, organs, and bodily systems
  • Immune System Disorders – Systemic lupus, inflammatory arthritis, and human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection that causes certain secondary infections.

The list of disabilities for children includes the 14 adult categories, as well as the category “Low Birth Weight and Failure to Thrive.” To determine whether low birth weight is a disability, the SSA looks at factors such as the rate of physical growth, developmental delays, and disorders related to prematurity, such as seizure disorders and chronic lung disease.

Tennessee Valley Medical Care

Tennessee Valley residents have many options when seeking treatment for disabling illnesses, injuries, and health conditions. If you live in Shelbyville, Wartrace or Bell Buckle, Tennova Healthcare – Shelbyville is just minutes away as well as Tennova Healthcare- Tullahoma.  Southern Tennessee Orthopedic & Spine Centers has specialty clinics in Fayetteville and Manchester and provides comprehensive spine services at its Winchester campus. And NHC Healthcare – McMinnville is a skilled nursing center providing rehabilitative care such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and respiratory therapy, along with home health care services.

While emergency and specialized healthcare facilities are easily accessible to most Tennessee Valley residents, paying for treatment is a significant challenge for many families. Even with health insurance, people often have trouble meeting their deductibles or co-payments. If a health condition also prevents someone from working, a loss of income makes medical costs more difficult to manage.

SSDI is intended to provide financial support to people who need it most. When you qualify for SSD benefits, the payments you receive can help you pay for services and the costs of everyday living. If you’ve suffered an injury due to another person’s negligence, you may also be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering.

At the law office of John R. Colvin, we’ve helped many Tennessee Valley residents apply for SSD benefits, and we’ve also represented clients when the SSA denied their disability claim. We offer free, no-obligation consultations about SSD and personal injury cases, because we work on a contingency fee basis – meaning, our fee comes from any settlement or payment of benefits you may receive. Find out how we can help you. Call us today at 931-962-1044, or fill out our contact form to request your consultation.

Licensed to Practice in Tennessee & Alabama