Qualifying for Disability with Essential Tremor

Qualifying for disability can depend on where you live, your familial status and other things. But, it also depends on your medical conditions and symptoms. There are lists of medical conditions that can be found online that may help you decide if you are qualified or not. There are separate lists for children and adults, and the lists are generally broken down by bodily system and function. Medical conditions tend to include

• Musculoskeletal problems: these include back issues and dysfunctions in the joints and bones. 
• Sense and speech issues such as vision impairment/hearing impairment or loss. 
• Respiratory illnesses
• Cardiovascular/ heart conditions like chronic heart failure. 
• Digestive tract problems like liver disease and IBD. 
• Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and Epilepsy. 
• Blood Disorders like sickle cell disease or Hemophilia. 
• Mental disorders like anxiety, depression. 
• Immune symptom disorders. 

This is not an all inclusive list, and if your condition isn’t on the list above, you may qualify for disability if certain criteria are met. First, the medical condition must be a medically determinable impairment meaning that it has been the subject of testing. Your medical condition must be supported by clinical reports. Second, the medical condition must limit your functional capacity. This is looked at by determining the most demanding activity you can do despite your limitations. Based on your functional capacity, someone from disability claims with examine your exertional level. These levels vary from sedentary work to very heavy work and are based on how much you can lift and carry. 

Medical evidence for disability cases can include: 

• Physician examination
• Treatment notes
• MRI 
• CAT scan
• X-Rays
• Mental health records
• Blood work panels

The medical evidence must be recent and must encompass the time period from when you became disable to now. Your medical records must show that your condition is severe and can prevent you from performing your standard work-related duties. The ability to work full or part-time will also be assessed. If a previous work situation has been affected, and work duties could not be completed and it has been assessed to be accurate, this will also be taken into consideration. If the applicant cannot return to their work, there is a medical-vocational grid. The grid is required to use a set of rules implemented by the social security department, but provides a job that the applicant may be able to do that is similar to the previous job. For example, if someone was a football coach previously, maybe a teaching job or similar coaching position would be more feasible for them and work with their medical condition more. They would then be able to be employed that way. 

If you have been denied disability before, or supplemental income, you can explore your legal options. There are attorney’s that specifically deal with disability-related cases and claims, and can review your situation and let you know what action would be best to take for you. Disability can be a difficult thing to deal with, and also be a confusing process. Make sure to look online for a additional information and resources.