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WHICH IMPAIRMENTS WIN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?



The single largest category of awards for Social Security disability are musuloskeletal disorders, which make up 33.8% of all disability awards.  These include common back disorders such as back pain, herniated or bulging discs, nerve impingement, etc.

The second largest category is mental disorders at 19.3% of all disability awards in 2011.  The second chart breaks out the specific categories of mental impairments awarded.  The largest category, mood disorders, account for 10.2%.

These numbers represent Social Security's experience in particular categories.  They do not represent a claimant's chance of winning a claim based on a particular disorder.  For instance, mental disorders make up 19.3% of all disability awards.  That does not mean that an individual has a 19.3% chance of winning a Social Security claim based on a mental disorder.

I constantly advise claimants not to put too much emphasis on "my odds of winning."  Every Social Security disability case is different in some way, thus unique.  Also, there are factors in every claim that cannot be analyzed, qualified or quantified.  Which judge will hear your case?  How much weight will the judge give this doctor's evidence vs. that doctor's opinion?

If you suffer from a physical or mental impairment that you expect to prevent you from working for at least 12 months, you should file a Social Security disability claim.  If you have recently been denied Social Security and want to appeal that decision, contact our office right away.  There is no charge for consultations and evaluations and we cannot charge you a fee until you win your case and recover past due benefits.

This link will take you to our main website for more free information.


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