For those living with diabetes, it’s understandable to have concerns about how the condition may impact your ability to work and function day-to-day. You may be wondering, “Can you get disability for diabetes?” Currently, having diabetes is not sufficient to meet the eligibility criteria for Social Security Disability.
However, if the complications and symptoms of your diabetes have significantly reduced your functional capacity to perform the duties of your job, you may still qualify for benefits through a Medical Vocational Allowance.
Our Social Security Disability Lawyers understand the nuances of how the Social Security Administration evaluates diabetes cases. Let’s take a look at some qualifications and options for diabetes disability benefits.
Is Diabetes a Disability?
Is diabetes considered a disability? It can be, however, diabetes alone is generally not considered a qualifying disability for Social Security disability benefits. However, if the complications and symptoms of your diabetes significantly limit your functional capacity to work, it can potentially meet the definition of a disability.
Debilitating effects like neuropathy, vision loss, cognitive impairment, fatigue, and the need for frequent breaks to manage blood sugar may severely impact your ability to perform job duties.
If medical evidence shows your diabetes disability has reduced your residual functional capacity to a degree that precludes substantial gainful employment, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) through a Medical Vocational Allowance.
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How Is a Diabetic Person’s Residual Functional Capacity Determined?
Your RFC is a measure of your maximum ability to perform the tasks of a job. It is generally based on your physical abilities to walk, use your arms and legs, lift objects, perform tasks with co-workers, and follow job-related instructions.
The Administration will look very closely at whether those impairments meet or exceed the ones it includes in its regulatory listing. If not, the SSA will review your complete medical records, recommendations and comments from your doctor, and examinations from the Administration’s physicians to determine your RFC.
A high RFC implies that there are employment situations with job tasks that you can perform. A lower RFC means that you are eligible to be employed in fewer job positions, so your benefits application will be more likely to be approved.
How Might Diabetes Affect a Person’s RFC?
Here’s how the effects of diabetes might impact a person’s Residual Functional Capacity (RFC):
Diabetes can cause a variety of complications and symptoms that can significantly limit someone’s physical and mental abilities to perform job duties. When determining RFC for disability purposes, some of the major ways diabetes might reduce functional capacity include:
- Neuropathy – Nerve damage from diabetes can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities, affecting dexterity, strength, and mobility required for many jobs.
- Vision problems – Diabetic retinopathy and other vision issues make it difficult to see, read, use computers, operate machinery safely, etc.
- Fatigue/weakness – Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can cause overwhelming fatigue, drowsiness, and lack of energy and strength.
- Cognitive effects – High or low blood sugar can impair concentration, memory, decision-making, and other mental capabilities needed in the workplace.
- Kidney problems – Diabetes can lead to kidney disease, causing additional limitations in stamina and endurance.
- Amputation risk – Poor circulation increases the risk of losing toes, feet or legs, drastically affecting mobility.
The SSA will evaluate how the combination of these types of diabetic complications impacts your ability to perform physical, mental, and skilled job requirements when determining your RFC. Severe limitations can point to disability.
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Does the Administration Consider Factors Other than RFC?
The Social Security Administration will also place you on a grid that considers your age, education level, experience, and skill level to determine if your diabetes causes a disability that qualifies you for benefits with a Medical Vocational Allowance.
For example, diabetic applicants over 50 years of age are more likely to qualify for MVA-based disability benefits even if their Residual Functional Capacity suggests that they can perform a broader range of job-related tasks.
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How a Disability Lawyer Can Help
Having an experienced disability lawyer assist with your diabetes claim can greatly improve your chances of qualifying for SSI, SSDI, or a Medical Vocational Allowance. Our lawyers can help you understand the specific medical evidence needed to demonstrate how your diabetes symptoms and effects prevent you from performing substantial gainful work.
Your lawyer can:
- Obtain comprehensive medical records detailing your conditions
- Solicit supportive opinion evidence from treating doctors
- Help you articulate your functional limitations
- Build legal arguments connecting your limitations to disability criteria
- Represent you in appeals if initially denied
- Ensure you receive the maximum benefits available
Our team has extensive experience guiding diabetic clients through the complex qualification process. We’ll put our experience to work making a strong case for how your diabetes meets disability requirements.
Get Help Applying for Disability Benefits
We represent clients throughout the United States from our Houston offices. We have a strong track record in preparing and handling successful Social Security Disability applications for a Medical Vocational Allowance due to diabetes.
Call to speak directly with a Social Security disability lawyer, who will answer your questions and provide assistance in preparing your application and aggressively pursuing your maximum recoverable benefits.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
