Medically Determinable Impairments and Social Security Disability Benefits

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability as "the inability to do any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months." A key component of this definition is that a claimant must have a "medically determinable impairment."

What does it mean to have a medically determinable impairment?  In other words, Social Security will not award Social Security disability benefits purely on one's symptoms.  If you have a bloody nose or bruises all over, SSA will not award benefits purely on symptoms alone. The government wants to know what is causing your problems. Do you suffer from severe debilitating pain because of arthritis or is it because of something else.

How do you prove what is causing your symptoms?  The government regulations provide, "an impairment must result from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities that can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques."  Some examples include: blood tests, x-rays, MRI's, discograms, and many other medical tests.

If you are interested in applying for Social Security disability benefits or have been denied disability benefits, make sure you have a medically determinable impairment.  If you do not, the government will most likely deny your claim for benefits.