When applying for Social Security disability benefits, a person will need to provide multiple forms of medical evidence. To determine whether a person is disabled and qualifies for benefits, Social Security will evaluate their residual functional capacity (RFC). Understanding what is meant by this term and how it is determined will ensure that a person can demonstrate that they are disabled and need SSD benefits to help them meet their needs.

Determining Residual Functional Capacity

A person’s residual functional capacity refers to the maximum amount of work they are able to do with the physical or mental limitations they are experiencing. To determine RFC, Social Security will look at a person’s medical records, including those provided by a person’s own doctor as well as reports from medical examinations from independent doctors. Social Security may also consider a person’s own explanation of their limitations and how their conditions have affected them, as well as statements from family members, friends, or others who may be able to provide insight into the case.

An RFC determination will address a person’s abilities in the following areas:

For those who suffer from physical or mental conditions that affect their ability to work, Social Security disability benefits can provide much-needed assistance. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of disability claims are denied. However, a denial does not mean that it will not be possible to receive SSD benefits. An applicant can appeal the decision to deny a claim and provide additional medical evidence or other information showing that they qualify for disability benefits. During these types of cases, an applicant can work with an attorney to ensure they meet all of their requirements, and they will want to understand the process that will be followed during their appeal.

Steps in a Social Security Disability Appeal

When appealing the denial of a SSD claim, a person will generally proceed through the following steps:

1. Reconsideration - Within 60 days after the denial of a disability claim, a person can file a Request for Reconsideration. During a reconsideration, Social Security may perform a case review in which a person will look at the information provided in the initial application and any supplemental information provided by the applicant. In some cases, an applicant may request an informal or formal conference where they can speak to the person reviewing the case and witnesses can be questioned. The person reviewing the case will issue a decision on whether to grant or deny disability benefits.

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There are many types of impairments that can affect a person’s ability to maintain gainful employment. A person who has experienced an injury that makes it difficult or impossible to perform work-related activities may qualify for disability benefits through Social Security, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Carpal tunnel syndrome is one issue that can affect people in multiple industries, including those who regularly type on computers or people such as auto mechanics who use their hands to complete work-related tasks. Those who have experienced these types of repetitive stress injuries can take the correct steps to apply for Social Security disability benefits by working with an attorney who is experienced in these types of cases.

Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Considered a Disability?

To qualify for SSD benefits, an applicant must meet a number of requirements, including showing that their health conditions have lasted or are expected to last for at least one year. A person must be unemployed or working at a level below substantial gainful activity. An applicant will also need to provide medical evidence showing that their condition is severe enough to be considered a disability.

A person will usually qualify for disability if their condition is defined in Social Security’s Listing of Impairments. However, carpal tunnel syndrome is not included in this listing. To prove that they are disabled, a person will either need to show that their condition is equivalent to a condition in the listing, or they must demonstrate that carpal tunnel syndrome has made it impossible for them to do work they had done in the past or find other jobs.

Those who suffer from serious injuries, chronic illnesses, or other health conditions may be unable to support themselves financially, and they may apply for Social Security disability benefits to receive assistance with their ongoing needs. However, many Social Security disability claims are denied. By understanding some of the most common reasons for the denial of these claims, applicants can avoid issues that may affect their ability to receive benefits.

Denial of SSD Applications

A claim for Social Security disability benefits may be denied based on:

• The length of time a condition has lasted - To qualify for disability benefits, a health condition must last for at least one year. If an applicant has not been affected by a disability for at least 12 months, or if their condition is not expected to last for a total of 12 months or more, they will not be able to receive disability benefits.

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Those who experience health issues that prevent them from being able to maintain gainful employment may be able to receive disability benefits through Social Security. There are multiple different types of health conditions that are recognized as disabilities by Social Security, but an applicant for disability benefits will need to meet specific requirements to demonstrate that they are disabled. People with hearing impairments will need to understand how these disabilities are addressed in the listing of impairments used by Social Security.

Hearing Loss Without Cochlear Implants

For those who have not had surgical implants to correct hearing loss, the determination of whether they are disabled will depend on the results of medical examinations and hearing tests. An otologic examination must be performed by a licensed physician, and it will look at a person’s medical history and the ways hearing loss has affected their life. A doctor will examine the person’s external ears, the eardrum, and the middle ear to look for abnormalities or issues that may affect the person’s hearing.

Audiometric testing must be performed by a licensed audiologist or otolaryngologist. A person’s hearing will be evaluated without the use of hearing aids. These tests will include pure tone or air conduction testing that measures how well the inner and outer ear can register sounds through the air and bone conduction testing to determine how well a person can register sounds transmitted through vibrations of the bones in the skull. Speech reception threshold (SRT) testing will be used to determine whether a person can recognize at least 50 percent of the words on a standard list at certain decibel levels, and word recognition testing will determine the maximum amplification level needed for a person to identify spoken words.