Social Security Disability for Neurological Disorders

The Blue Book is the SSA’s guide that determines eligibility for disability benefits based on your particular medical conditions. It outlines detailed criteria for various disorders, specifying the clinical and laboratory evidence required to prove the severity and impact of a disability. This guide ensures each applicant is evaluated against consistent standards, but its clinical language and intricate details can be overwhelming.

Neurological disorders vary widely, affecting everything from motor functions to cognitive abilities. The Blue Book’s approach to these disorders is thorough, considering the broad range of symptoms and outcomes. Each listing is tailored to reflect the specific ways these conditions manifest and impact daily functioning.

A. Categories of Neurological Disorders

The SSA’s Blue Book organizes neurological disorders into specific categories, each with its diagnostic criteria and evidence requirements. Here’s a look at how these disorders are grouped:

1. Epilepsy (Sections 11.02 and 11.03)

• Epilepsy Convulsive (11.02): Requires frequent seizures despite treatment.

• Epilepsy Non-Convulsive (11.03): Requires frequent seizures with significant disruption to daily activities.

• Documentation: Seizure diaries, neurological reports.

2. Cerebral Vascular Accidents (Strokes) (Section 11.04)

• Focus on post-stroke residual effects like speech difficulties and motor impairments.

• Documentation: Doctor’s notes, therapy reports.

3. Multiple Sclerosis (Section 11.09)

• Evaluates scattered neurological symptoms and their impact.

• Documentation: MRI findings, clinical assessments.

4. Parkinson Syndrome (Section 11.06)

• Requires significant motor function impairment.

• Documentation: Neurological examinations, patient diaries.

5. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (Section 11.18)

• Focuses on cognitive and physical impairments following TBI.

• Documentation: Neuropsychological evaluations, medical records.

6. Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system (Section 11.17)

• Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, such as Huntington’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, and spinocerebellar degeneration.

• Documentation: Relevant imaging studies, Neuropsychological evaluations, progress reports.

These categories cover the vast range of symptoms presented by different neurological disorders. At Puerto Rico Disability, we use our deep understanding of these categories to customize our advice and support, ensuring your application meets the SSA’s defined parameters and reflects the full extent of your disability.

Epilepsy impacts millions, but not everyone qualifies for disability benefits. The SSA differentiates between convulsive and non-convulsive epilepsy, with specific criteria for each type.

• Convulsive Epilepsy (11.02): Requires seizures more frequently than once a month despite treatment, causing daytime loss of consciousness or night-time seizures with residual effects.

• Non-Convulsive Epilepsy (11.03): Requires weekly seizures with significant disruption to daily activities.

Impact on Daily Life: It's crucial to document how epilepsy affects your ability to function at work, maintain social relationships, and perform daily tasks. Detailed seizure logs and neurologist reports are essential.

Strokes can lead to a range of neurological impairments. The SSA focuses on persistent motor or sensory function deficits.

• Post-Stroke Challenges: Must demonstrate specific motor function issues persisting at least three months post-stroke.

• Documentation Needs: Detailed doctor’s notes, physical therapy reports, and personal accounts of daily challenges.

Non-cancerous brain tumors can still cause significant neurological deficits.

• Tumor Impact: Must show how the tumor affects physical or mental capacities.

• Supporting Evidence: Neurological evaluations, imaging results, and detailed accounts of daily struggles.

Parkinson’s disease and similar disorders are evaluated based on motor function impairment.

• Symptoms and Severity: Requires significant bradykinesia, rigidity, or tremors that severely limit motor functions.

• Life Impact Documentation: Neurological assessments and personal diaries detailing daily challenges are crucial.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is unpredictable, making it challenging to qualify for SSD benefits.

• MS Manifestations: Must demonstrate motor function disorganization in two extremities or significant mental function limitations.

• Comprehensive Evidence: Neurological findings, MRI results, and detailed descriptions of fatigue, dizziness, cognitive issues, and their impact on daily activities.

ALS is a rapidly progressing and often fatal neurological disease.

• Immediate Eligibility: Due to its severity, ALS claims are often fast-tracked for disability benefits.

• Supporting Documentation: Neurological findings, EMG reports, and detailed accounts of speech, swallowing, and breathing impairments.

Post-polio syndrome presents unique challenges as symptoms emerge decades after the initial polio infection.

• Symptom Documentation: Evidence of continued muscle weakening in previously affected areas.

• Impact on Life: Detailed medical history, EMG results, and personal accounts of current impacts.

Each neurological condition presents unique challenges, but the goal remains the same: securing the support needed to manage these conditions with dignity. At Puerto Rico Disability we are committed to translating these complex medical criteria into successful claims, ensuring each client receives personalized attention and expert guidance.

Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, such as Huntington’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, and spinocerebellar degeneration, are serious conditions that progressively worsen over time, impacting both motor and cognitive functions. The SSA has specific requirements to qualify for disability benefits under Section 11.17 of the Blue Book. 

1. Diagnosis of a Neurodegenerative Disorder:

• You must have a confirmed diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disorder, such as Huntington’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, or spinocerebellar degeneration.

2. Documented Impairments:

• The disorder must result in significant physical and/or mental impairments that are well-documented and medically proven. These impairments often include:

• Severe motor dysfunction affecting at least two extremities (arms or legs), leading to persistent difficulty with walking, standing, or using your hands effectively.

• Severe cognitive decline that significantly limits your ability to understand, remember, or apply information, interact with others, concentrate, or manage oneself.

3. Functional Limitations:

• The impairments must result in extreme limitation in your ability to:

• Stand up from a seated position.
• Balance while standing or walking.
• Use your hands and arms effectively for work-related tasks.

• Alternatively, the impairments must result in a marked limitation in physical functioning and one of the following areas of mental functioning:

• Understanding, remembering, or applying information.
• Interacting with others.
• Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace.
• Adapting or managing oneself.