When applying for Social Security disability insurance, you may already know that the chances of a denial may be large. In fact, 70% of SSDI claims receive a denial upon their first evaluation. If you are applying for SSDI because of an endocrine disorder, you may feel unsure about your chances for approval.
Fortunately, the Social Security Administration maintains a list of impairments that they consider severe enough to grant SSDI benefits. Endocrine disorders are often evaluated under the different body systems that they affect, as opposed to the endocrine disorder itself.
Endocrine disorders listed as impairments
As found on the SSA website, the following list includes endocrine disorders that may garner you SSDI benefits:
- Adrenal gland disorders
- Chronic hyperglycemia
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Diabetes mellitus and other disorders of the pancreatic gland
- Hyperglycemia
- Parathyroid
- Thyroid gland disorders
Satisfactory evidence for SSDI
Simply receiving a diagnosis of one of the above conditions may not be enough to receive SSDI benefits. You must also submit medical evidence that your impairment will either last for more than a year or result in your death. Once you prove the medical diagnosis, you must prove the severity of your diagnosis. This can include medical reports from your doctor, of course, but also nonmedical sources as well. Some examples of nonmedical sources include reports from your friends, neighbors, employer, caseworkers, caregivers and clergy.
If the SSA determines that the evidence you provide is not sufficient, they may arrange for a consultative examination to prove your claim. However, the SSA prefers to contact your doctor to answer questions before this happens.
