Musculoskeletal System Disorders

These conditions affect your bones, joints, and muscles, making it difficult to perform physical tasks.

• Arthritis: Severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms that significantly impair movement.
• Back Disorders: Spinal stenosis, disc herniation, and degenerative disc disease that restrict your ability to sit, stand, or walk.
• Amputations: If you’ve lost a limb or have severe loss of function in one or more limbs.
• Fractures: Severe fractures that prevent you from performing work-related tasks.

Cardiovascular Conditions

Cardiovascular impairments affect your heart and blood vessels, which can severely limit your ability to exert yourself physically.

• Heart Failure: When the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
• Coronary Artery Disease: Severe blockages or narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart.
• Angina: Severe chest pain related to reduced blood flow to the heart.
• Arrhythmia: Abnormal heart rhythms that limit your ability to work.

Respiratory Conditions

These conditions affect your ability to breathe or cause significant shortness of breath, limiting your ability to engage in work activities.

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A progressive lung disease that makes breathing difficult.
• Asthma: Severe asthma that doesn’t respond well to treatment.
• Pulmonary Hypertension: High blood pressure in the lungs, which can cause heart failure and limit physical activity.
• Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder that affects your lungs and digestive system.

Neurological Disorders

Neurological conditions affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, making it difficult to engage in day-to-day activities.

• Epilepsy: Seizure disorders that cannot be controlled with medication.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A chronic disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause a range of symptoms, including paralysis and fatigue.
• Parkinson’s Disease: A progressive disorder of the nervous system that causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement.
• Brain Injuries: Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) that leads to cognitive, motor, or emotional impairments.

Mental Health Conditions

Mental health conditions can qualify for Social Security Disability if they significantly affect your ability to work or perform daily tasks.

• Depression: Severe, persistent depression that interferes with your ability to work.
• Bipolar Disorder: Severe mood swings that impact your ability to function in a work environment.
• Schizophrenia: A severe mental disorder that affects your ability to think clearly, manage emotions, and interact with others.
• Anxiety Disorders: Severe anxiety that prevents you from maintaining employment.

Cancer

Certain types of cancer can qualify for SSDI, depending on the severity of the condition and how it affects your ability to work.

• Breast Cancer: In advanced stages or if undergoing severe treatments like chemotherapy.
• Lung Cancer: In the advanced stages or with complications that prevent work.
• Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Other Cancers: Cancers that significantly impair your ability to engage in work activities.

Endocrine Disorders

Conditions related to hormone imbalances and the body’s metabolic processes can also qualify for Social Security Disability.

• Diabetes: If diabetes causes complications that prevent you from working, such as vision loss, neuropathy, or organ failure.
• Thyroid Disorders: Severe thyroid conditions that affect your energy levels or metabolic processes.
• Adrenal Insufficiency: A rare condition that affects the adrenal glands’ ability to produce necessary hormones.

Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) that requires regular dialysis or leads to kidney failure is a qualifying condition for SSDI.

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Progressive loss of kidney function.
• End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): When kidneys fail, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Liver Disease

Liver conditions, especially those that cause severe impairment to liver function, can also qualify.

• Cirrhosis: Severe liver scarring from chronic liver disease, which can severely impact your ability to work.
• Hepatitis: Chronic hepatitis that leads to liver failure or other severe complications.

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune diseases that cause severe, disabling symptoms may qualify for disability benefits.

• Lupus: A chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organ systems.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: A severe autoimmune condition affecting the joints and causing inflammation and pain.
• Celiac Disease: Severe cases that result in malnutrition or other impairments.

Infectious Diseases

Certain infectious diseases, especially those that cause lasting complications, may qualify for disability.

• HIV/AIDS: If the disease progresses to the point that you are unable to work.
• Tuberculosis (TB): Severe cases of TB, especially if it affects your ability to breathe or engage in physical activities.

How to Improve Your Chances of Qualifying for Disability in Texas

• Provide Detailed Medical Evidence: The most crucial step in applying for SSDI or SSI is providing strong medical documentation. The SSA needs to see that your condition is severe and has lasted (or is expected to last) for at least 12 months.
• Work with Your Doctors: Ensure that your doctors are aware that you are applying for disability. They may be able to provide you with important supporting documentation.
• Complete Your Application Carefully: Ensure your application is complete and free from errors. Missing information or incomplete forms can delay your application or result in a denial.
• Be Prepared for Appeals: If your claim is denied, don’t be discouraged. Many claims are denied initially, but you can appeal the decision and provide additional evidence to strengthen your case.