Can I Collect Social Security for Diabetes?

Ask the Attorney:
Can I Collect Social Security for Diabetes?

More than 30 million Americans suffer from Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes – and our attorneys have helped hundreds of clients suffering from Diabetes collect the Social Security Disability that they deserve.

Type 1 Diabetes is a hereditary disease that primarily strikes children. It is an autoimmune disorder that destroys a person’s pancreas – preventing their body from being able to produce Insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes – also called adult-onset diabetes – is a chronic condition that affects the way a person’s body metabolizes sugar (glucose). It has a hereditary component, but is also brought on by diet, weight & other lifestyle issues.

Social Security Removes Diabetes from Listing of Impairments

Many people with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes can go on to live active lives, and are able to work. However, many others do become totally disabled by their Diabetes. This is usually because of the debilitating side effects of Diabetes, including: blindness, kidney damage, heart damage and more.

The first thing that Social Security examiners do in evaluating a medical condition is to refer to the Social Security’s “official listing” of impairments – commonly referred to simply as “The Blue Book.” The Blue Book lists the medical conditions that the SSA considers “inherently disabling”, which result in somewhat “automatic” approval – IF your medical documentation is sufficient to show you have a Blue Book condition.

Unfortunately, Social Security recently removed Diabetes from its “Listings of Impairments”. This means that while – under certain circumstances – you CAN still collect Social Security Disability for Diabetes, it is now much harder.

In other words, because Diabetes is no longer on the Blue Book list of “inherently disabling” conditions, collecting Social Security for Diabetes is not “automatic.” Instead, the burden is on the Social Security applicant to PROVE that his or her Diabetes renders them disabled and unable to work.

This means that it is not enough to simply prove that you have Diabetes – but you must also show what its effects are, as well as how these effects make you unable to work. The focus of the SSD approval process for collecting Social Security Disability for Diabetes will rest upon the clinical findings, medical documentation and records of the applicant’s treating medical specialists.

Effects of Diabetes that Make a Person Disabled:

  1. Neuropathy in the hands or feet, including problems using forks, keyboards, buttons and pens.
  2. Vision problems, including inability to see well enough to read, write or operate machinery.
  3. Kidney problems
  4. End-organ damage, including cardiovascular, visual or kidney systems;
  5. Amputations

Again, with all of these conditions caused by (or related to) Diabetes, Social Security approval will depend upon the severity of the symptoms – and how they affect the ability of the applicant to do basic work functions.

In other words, the key to winning a Social Security Disability for Diabetes is proving HOW the disease impacts the body, and why that impact prevents a claimant from working full-time.

If your diabetes and its effects are limiting activities of daily living and/or making you unable to work, contact our experienced SSD attorneys for an evaluation of the Social Security Disability law that applies in your situation. There is never a charge for a legal consultation from our office, and our attorneys are always here to help you.

Social Security Attorneys for Diabetics

Our experienced Social Security attorneys are here to help you collect your Social Security Disability as quickly as possible. If you have been disabled by Diabetes, or any other serious medical condition, our experienced lawyers would be happy to discuss your unique situation with you, to ensure that you receive the maximum Social Security Disability benefits for which you may qualify.

Social Security Attorneys FREE CONSULTATION: 562-622-4800.

Social Security attorneys for Los Angeles, Orange County & Southern California, including: Anaheim, Carson, Bellflower, Compton, Downey, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, La Mirada, Lakewood, Long Beach, San Pedro, Santa Ana, Torrance, Wilmington, Whittier and Yorba Linda.