Diabetes Removed from Social Security Disability List
December 23rd, 2011 tmccoy
Diabetes is a lifelong chronic disease in which there are high levels of sugar in the blood. It is known as a metabolic disease. Your body may not produce enough insulin or be insulin resistant. Although treatable with medication, diabetes is a chronic disease that cannot be cured. Complications from diabetes include neuropathy and retinopathy which can greatly impact upon your health.
The Social Security Administration decided to eliminate diabetes from the “listings” of impairments. The rationale is that if one is to be found disabled due to diabetes, it is not due to the diagnosis, but the affect the disease has upon your residual functional capacity. In reaction to negative comments about this action, the Social Security Administration revised their final rules to provide guidance on the different types of diabetes and has acknowledged they are chronic disorders that can have serious disabling complications. For current beneficiaries, benefits will not be terminated and any continuing disability reviews will be based upon the original listings.
