Genitourinary disorders are disorders that directly affect the urinary tract and genital organs. Genitourinary conditions can be severe and disabling, and in these cases people with these disorders may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
SSDI is a federal program which provides benefits to people who cannot work due to a disability. In order for an individual to qualify for SSDI, they must meet certain requirements, and be unable to work due to their disability. A claimant must be able to prove that their disability exists and provide substantial evidence that supports the claim. They also need to provide proof that their disability prevents them from earning a living wage and taking part in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).
In order to be approved for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, a disability claim has to be approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Social Security Administration is in charge of determining what claims qualify for disability benefits by assessing the documentation presented by claimants. In order to do this, they reference what is known as the Blue Book.
The Blue Book provides extensive information on qualifying disabilities, as well as their symptoms. Genitourinary disorders is the sixth category in the Blue Book. Genitourinary disorders which qualify for SSDI often result in chronic kidney disease (CKD), or the disability was caused by existing CKD.
Some examples of qualifying genitourinary disorders include the following:
- Hypertensive Nephropathy
- Diabetic Nephropathy
- Fluid Overload Syndrome
- Chronic Obstructive Uropathy
- Complications of CKD
The evidence required by the Social Security Administration to approve a claim under the genitourinary disorders category can include several varieties of medical documentation, such as laboratory results, history of treatment(s), prescribed medications, and more. The SSA may request a kidney or bone biopsy, or a pathology report from a previous biopsy. If a copy of the pathology report is not available, the SSA will accept a statement depicting the results from an acceptable medical source. Generally, the SSA requires evidence which covers a period of at least 90 days.
Estimated filtering capacity of the kidneys, and other variables such as age, gender, and body size will be considered before a claim is approved. Individuals who require chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis can also apply for SSDI.
Finally, if a condition is not listed in the Blue Book, a claimant may still qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance.
Kidney Transplants
Individuals who undergo a kidney transplant are considered disabled by the SSA for 1 year after their transplant surgery. Following that year, residual impairment(s) related to the transplant, such as transplant malfunction, rejection, or other complications, will be evaluated by the SSA to determine how they affect the claimant’s SSD benefits.
A claimant may qualify for benefits before receiving a kidney transplant as long as the onset of their disability can be determined.
A Trusted SSD and SSI Attorney in Oakland, CA
If you are looking for a reliable social security lawyer in Orange, CA, and the surrounding areas, Ortega Disability Group is here for you. Whether you need help filing a claim and getting approved for SSDI, or your claim has been denied and you wish to file an appeal, our disability lawyers are here for you. Contact us today to request a free consultation.
