If you’re suffering from vertigo, you’ll often find yourself feeling like the world spinning around you even if you’re not moving. You may also feel dizzy and are prone to losing your sense of balance.
With these, doing certain tasks can be a challenge. There were probably days when you missed work because of your condition. So getting disability benefits will definitely be a huge help.
But is vertigo a disability? Can you get disability benefits for vertigo?
Yes, vertigo can be a disability if it’s severe enough to prevent you from working. To get disability benefits, you must prove your condition and meet SSA’s other eligibility requirements.
If you’re looking to claim disability benefits for your vertigo, here’s a quick guide for you.
Understanding Vertigo
Vertigo is one of the most common conditions plaguing American adults today. It’s often a result of an imbalance in the inner ear or certain problems in the brain.
Contrary to popular belief, however, vertigo isn’t a disease. Rather, it’s a symptom or a sign of an underlying disease. Some of the most common causes of vertigo include:
- head injury
- migraine
- meniere’s disease
- stroke
- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- tumor
- vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis
Certain medications like streptomycin and aspirin can also cause ear damage leading to vertigo.
When is Vertigo a Disability?
As per the SSA, a disorder can only be considered a disability if:
- it prevents you from working or engaging in a substantial gainful activity
- it prevents you from doing the work you previously did or adjusting to other lines of work
- it’s expected to last for at least a year or result in death
If your vertigo meets the above requirements, then it’s a disability by SSA standards.
The SSA also includes vertigo in its bluebook or adult impairment listing. If your condition meets the listing requirements, you’ll be considered disabled regardless of your job or education history.
Under this listing, vertigo cases are evaluated using three main parameters:
- The patient is experiencing severe and recurring symptoms including:
- recurring or chronic dizziness
- loss of balance characterized by a sensation of motion even when stationary or a loss of sense of position
- frequent nausea, vomiting, ataxia (poor muscle control), and incapacitation
- For Meniere’s disease, it must be characterized by sudden attacks of vertigo, ringing in the ears, and fluctuating hearing loss. The remissions can be unpredictable and irregular but may be long-lasting.
- For vertigo caused by vestibular disorders, it must be substantiated with a comprehensive neuro-otological exam.
Why It’s Hard to Get Disability Benefits for Vertigo
SSA’s guidelines on when vertigo can be considered a disability are pretty straightforward. The challenge, however, is proving that your vertigo is disabling. And it can be a challenge, indeed.
There are two main reasons why getting disability benefits for vertigo can be challenging:
1. Vertigo symptoms are subjective
As mentioned, vertigo is a symptom rather than a disorder itself. So its severity depends on the underlying condition causing it.
For some, vertigo symptoms may only include dizziness and ringing of the ears. But for others, it can come with vomiting, hearing loss, or an inability to stand or do simple movements. The former won’t interfere with your ability to work. But the latter will make it hard for you to do certain tasks.
But the problem with vertigo is the symptoms can be very subjective. It’s easy to claim that you’re feeling nauseous or that the world is spinning around you. However, there’s no objective way to measure these. You can’t do lab tests or medical examinations. So determining the true extent of your symptoms can be difficult.
2. Some cases of vertigo are temporary
To be considered a disability, the SSA requires that a medical condition is expected to last for a year or result in death.
The problem with this is some cases of vertigo are temporary in nature. In general, a vertigo episode can last only from a few seconds to a few hours. While severe episodes can last for weeks to a few months. When the underlying condition is healed, the vertigo also goes away.
Because of this, it can be hard to prove that your condition meets the SSA’s eligibility requirement.
Should You Hire a Lawyer?
As I said, getting disability benefits for vertigo can be challenging. So if you’re having a hard time claiming benefits, you should consider hiring an experienced disability lawyer like Victor Malca. He has almost 30 years of experience helping disabled individuals in Florida get social security benefits. He can help you get the benefits you rightfully deserve too. Call us now for a free consultation.
VICTOR MALCA – Florida Workers Compensation & Social Security Disability Attorney
Victor Malca P.A. has over 27 years of litigation experience in Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability lawsuits. His experience and continued success when fighting for his clients puts him among the most trusted workers’ compensation attorney’s in Florida. He specializes in representing injured workers on compensation benefit cases and disabled individuals claiming lost social security disability benefits.
Book a free consultation today. Our unwavering advocacy for employee rights and privileges are recognized by our past clients across South Florida.
About The Author
Judy Ponio is a writer and editor for the Victor Malca Law P.A. website and blog. She enjoys helping people in need with questions about social security disability and workers compensation law. She has a passion for helping those in need and the elderly with accurate legal information that can make a positive difference in their lives.