1. Social Security Disability
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  3. What Medical Conditions Qualify For Social Security Disability?
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  5. Endocrine Disorders That Qualify For Social Security Disability

Endocrine Disorders That Qualify For Social Security Disability

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a book known as the Blue Book to list common diseases that qualify for Social Security disability benefits, as well as the criteria that a person with such conditions must meet in order to be considered fully disabled. The SSA established a section on endocrine disorders in June 2011. Section 9 of the Blue Book deals with endocrine disorders.

Despite the fact that Section 9 of the Blue Book is dedicated to endocrine illnesses, it does not directly address the requirements for Social Security disability benefits. Rather, endocrine problems are assessed based on how they affect other body or mental/emotional functioning. The Blue Book gives several examples, including:

  • Pituitary gland disorders – Based on the functions or physiological systems affected by the hormonal imbalance, these can be examined under any suitable section to qualify you for disability benefits.
  • Adrenal gland disorders – Under 1.00 of the bluebook, the SSA considers adrenal-related osteoporosis with fractures that impair walking or use of the upper extremities; under 4.00, the SSA considers adrenal-related hypertension that worsens heart failure or causes recurrent arrhythmias; under 5.00, the SSA considers adrenal-related weight loss; and under 12.00, the SSA considers mood disorders.
  • Thyroid gland disorders – The SSA looks for arrhythmias or other cardiac dysfunction caused by thyroid-related changes in blood pressure and heart rate under section 4.00 , thyroid-related weight loss under section 5.00, hypertensive cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) under section 11.00, and cognitive limitations, mood disorders, and anxiety under section 12.00 of the bluebook.
  • Parathyroid gland disorders – Under the SSA bluebook guidelines, the SSA looks for parathyroid-related osteoporosis and fractures under section 1.00; abnormally high calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia) that cause cataracts under 2.00; kidney failure under section 6.00; and recurrent abnormally low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia) that can end up to increased excitability of nerves and muscles, such as tetany and muscle spasms, under section 11.00.
  • Diabetes mellitus and other pancreatic gland disorders – These illnesses affect a wide range of body systems and processes, and they can be examined under any of the applicable headings. Cardiovascular (Section 4), digestive (Section 5), neurological (Section 11), and mental diseases are the most common (Section 12).

If your endocrine illness meets the requirements specified in the Blue Book section for which it is being examined, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. If not, you must demonstrate that the cumulative consequences of your condition, when combined with the cumulative effects of any other debilitating conditions you have, make it unreasonable for you to continue working. Generally speaking, this entails demonstrating that your disability precludes you from performing any job for which you are qualified anywhere in the country.

Additional conditions that qualify for Endocrine disorder under the SSA’s guidelines include the following:

  • Obesity
  • Pancreatitis
  • Reactive Hypoglycemia