How Medical Devices Can Affect Your SSDI Case

For some conditions, dependence on a medical device may help establish your claim for SSDI benefits. The need for some limited types of medical devices may even entitle you to provisional benefits while your SSDI application is being considered. But, it’s important to understand what is necessary to establish the need for a medical device. 

Examples of Medical Devices that Can Help Establish Disability

We can’t include a full listing of medical devices that may play a role in the SSDI determination, but these examples will help you understand how the analysis works. 

Neurological Disorders

For certain neurological disorders, one criteria is the “inability to stand up from a seated position.” This is defined as being “unable to stand and maintain an upright position without the assistance of another person or the use of an assistive device, such as a walker, two crutches, or two canes.” So, in this situation, the medical need for such assistive devices can help to establish the degree of disability. However, it’s important to note that the fact that you use such devices is not evidence that they are medically necessary. That need will have to be established by a medical professional. 

Musculoskeletal Disorders

For some musculoskeletal disorders, one of the options for establishing functional impairment is “A documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands.” Note, again, that the “documented” requirement means that a medical professional must have deemed the use of the device necessary. 

Presumptive Disability

The Social Security Administration (SSA) treats certain types of claims as presumptive disabilities. That means that the applicant can receive up to six months of payments while the application is being processed. The need for medical devices plays a role in several of the listed conditions, such as: 

• Allegation of bed confinement or immobility without a wheelchair, walker, or crutches, due to a longstanding condition excluding recent accident and recent surgery

• Allegation of cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or muscular atrophy and marked difficulty in walking (for example the use of braces), speaking, or coordination of the hands or arms

• Allegation of a spinal cord injury producing an inability to ambulate without the use of a walker or bilateral hand-held assistive devices for more than two weeks with confirmation of such status from an acceptable medical source

Disability Help Group Fights for Your Disability Benefits

Whether you are applying for SSDI benefits for the first time or need help appealing a denial, we are here to help. To learn more about how we can put our extensive experience to work for you, call 800-800-3332 or contact us here.