The Blue Book is the text in which the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses to determine which medical conditions qualify for disability benefits. Section 12 of the Blue Book outlines the specific mental disorders and circumstances under which claimants qualify.
By familiarizing yourself with the types of qualifying disorders and the medical evidence required, you may gain Social Security Disability Insurance more efficiently.
What are the nine categories?
The nine categories of mental disorders according to the Social Security Administration are autism, anxiety disorders, mental retardation, substance addiction, organic mental disorders, personality disorders, affective disorders, somatoform disorders and schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.
You might technically qualify for a different category than how your doctor diagnosed your medical condition. Since medical professionals do not use the same diagnostic methods as the SSA, the standards for qualification differ and you may need additional medical evidence to support your diagnosis.
What is the disability claims process?
To qualify for Social Security benefits with a mental condition, you must meet the criteria for each diagnosis as listed in the Blue Book. Alternatively, you can show that the total of all your disabling mental conditions is equal to any of the listed criteria. You also need to have evidence that you currently comply with your treatment plan and that you continue to have medical supervision.
After submitting your application, you need to wait around three or five months to learn if the SSA accepted your request. If the department decided to turn down your request, it is not the end of the process since you can file for an appeals hearing before a judge.
