Chris Hammons | March 20, 2025 | Personal Injury

What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?

Many people live with conditions that prevent them from working at full capacity. Below are the top 10 most common disabilities that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

1. Musculoskeletal System Disorders

Musculoskeletal issues are the leading cause of disability that are approved for benefits in the United States. These disorders impact bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. 

Common examples include:

  • Arthritis
  • Hemiplegia
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Scoliosis
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Herniated or ruptured discs

These conditions often cause chronic pain and loss of mobility, making it difficult to maintain regular employment.

2. Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are a type of mental illness that can affect emotions, energy, and concentration. 

Examples include:

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD)
  • Bipolar disorder (Type I or II)
  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
  • Dysthymia

Mental health disorders can make it hard to maintain focus or social interactions, both of which are necessary for most jobs.

3. Nervous System Disorders

The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body. 

Conditions in this category may include:

These disorders may cause mobility issues, seizures, memory loss, or difficulty with coordination and balance.

4. Intellectual Disabilities

Intellectual disabilities are lifelong conditions. 

Examples include:

  • Down syndrome
  • Fragile X syndrome
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
  • Prader-Willi syndrome

These disabilities affect learning, reasoning, and adaptive behavior.

5. Circulatory System Disorders

The circulatory system is responsible for pumping blood and delivering oxygen throughout the body. 

Common circulatory conditions include:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Peripheral artery disease
  • Congestive heart failure

According to the CDC, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S.

6. Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders are serious mental health conditions that interfere with a person’s sense of reality. 

Conditions may include:

  • Schizophrenia
  • Schizoaffective disorder
  • Delusional disorder

Symptoms may involve hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and extreme confusion.

7. Other Mental Disorders

This broad category includes mental conditions not classified as mood or psychotic disorders. 

Examples include:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

These conditions can impact focus, memory, and emotional regulation, all of which can make full-time work difficult.

8. Injuries

Some people become disabled due to traumatic injuries from accidents. 

Common types include:

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Amputations
  • Fractures that don’t heal properly

If someone in Oklahoma City is injured in a car accident, pedestrian accident, or another type of incident, they may become eligible for disability benefits.

9. Organic Mental Disorders

Unlike other mental health concerns, these disorders involve physical changes to the brain and usually result from disease, injury, or substance use. 

Examples include:

  • Dementia
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Amnesia
  • Delirium

Memory loss, confusion, and personality changes are common symptoms.

10. Neoplasms

Neoplasms, or abnormal cell growths, can be benign or cancerous. 

Types of neoplasms include:

  • Brain tumors
  • Breast cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Lung cancer

The SSA may fast-track disability approval for certain cancers under its Compassionate Allowances program.

Signs That You Will Be Approved For Disability

A few signs suggest your application may be successful:

  • Your condition matches a listing in the SSA’s Blue Book
  • You have strong medical documentation
  • You cannot work for at least 12 months
  • You meet the work credit requirement for SSDI

Remember, approval is not always guaranteed. 

Conditions that cause lasting impairments, such as heart disease, back injuries, and neurological disorders, may qualify for long-term disability.

Short-term disability typically covers conditions that temporarily prevent working, such as surgery recovery, childbirth, and injuries that heal completely. 

If Your Condition Affects Your Ability To Work, You May Qualify

If your condition prevents you from earning a living, you may qualify for SSDI or SSI. The top 10 disabilities listed above represent the most common reasons people receive benefits. Understanding what qualifies can help you or a loved one get the support you need during a difficult time.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers at Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. Our law office is located in Oklahoma City.

We proudly serve Oklahoma County, OK and its surrounding areas:

Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers – OKC
1332 SW 89th St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73159
(405) 703-4567