When you are talking about visual acuity, you are dealing with the ability to effectively see detail. That means being about to do things like read or make out small objects when they are at a significant distance from you. Obviously, if you are unable to do this, it can pose a serious roadblock to your ability to perform at many different kinds of jobs or even live a normal life.
That is why the Social Security Administration includes a Loss of Visual Acuity as a disability that can qualify you for Social Security benefits. But you have to prove that you are eligible before you can start receiving those benefits. That means that you either need to:
a.) Show that your particular problem is in their Listings of Impairments and meets the medical severity requirements that they have laid down or,
b.) If your issue does not quite match their definition, you have to use the Five Step Sequential Evaluation Process to prove it is equivalent to one of the disabilities that actually does qualify.
So what exactly is the Listings of Impairments? It is a guide created by the SSA to define every single qualifying disability they recognize and explain the criteria an individual has to meet in order to receive benefits for each of these disabilities.
Your best bet at qualifying for disability benefits is to prove that you have one of these listed impairments and that you meet the criteria they have set down.
What does that mean where Loss of Visual Acuity is concerned?
Criteria for Loss of Visual Acuity Benefits
The criteria that the Listings of Impairments has for receiving Social Security benefits for Loss of Visual Acuity is ridiculously simple: you qualify if the vision in your better eye is 20/200 or less after best corrections have been done.
How do you prove this? There is a wealth of tests out there that the SSA will accept:
- Visual Evoked Responses
- S100B Protein
- Cystatin C
- Laser Doppler Flowmetry
- Visual Acuity Tests
- Transcorneal Transillumination
- Tonometry
- Tonography
- Swinging Flashlight Test
- Strabismus Tests
- Slit Lamp Examination
- Shirmer’s Test
- Refraction
- Ophthalmoscopy
- Ocular Ultrasound
- Keratometry and Keratoscopy
- Fluorescein Angiography
- Endothelial Photography
- Electroretinography
- Electrooculography
Positive results on any of these can help to support your claim and win you benefits.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
Beyond the Listings of Impairments
If your issue does not qualify you for benefits based on the criteria in Listing 2.02, don’t give up hope. Remember that it is still possible to get the help you need by going through the Five Step Sequential Evaluation Process.
It is not as straightforward as simply matching a listing, and you will probably require the assistance of an experienced Social Security disability attorney. But if you can prove your disorder has kept you from working for 12 months or longer, the SSA should award you the benefits that you need.
Learn even more about the claims process by reading our Social Security Disability eBook for free
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form