Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – SSA Issues New Ruling on Obesity
Obesity is a commonly misevaluated issue in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. The Social Security Administration (SSA) issued Ruling SSR 19-02p: “Titles II and XVI: evaluating cases involving obesity” on May 20, 2019. This new ruling will apply to all claims filed or pending on or after May 20, 2019. SSR 19-02p clarifies that SSA establishes obesity as a medically determinable impairment (MDI) based on height and weight, measured waist size, and BMI measurements over time. A BMI of 30 or higher or a waist size greater than thirty-five inches for women and greater and forty inches for men will generally establish the existence of an MDI of obesity. As with most impairments, though, the Social Security Administration will consider all evidence froObesity is a commonly misevaluated issue in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. The Social Security Administration (SSA) issued Ruling SSR 19-02p: “Titles II and XVI: evaluating cases involving obesity” on May 20, 2019. This new ruling will apply to all claims filed or pending on or after May 20, 2019. SSR 19-02p clarifies that SSA establishes obesity as a medically determinable impairment (MDI) based on height and weight, measured waist size, and BMI measurements over time. A BMI of 30 or higher or a waist size greater than thirty-five inches for women and greater and forty inches for men will generally establish the existence of an MDI of obesity. As with most impairments, though, the Social Security Administration will consider all evidence from all sources when evaluating the severity of an impairment including all symptoms such as fatigue or pain and any functional limitations. The new ruling states that obesity may contribute to the limitation or range of motion of the skeletal spine and extremities and that people with obesity may have limitations and ability to sustain a function over time explaining that fatigue may affect the person’s physical and mental abilities to sustain work activity.
If you need more information about a Social Security Disability/SSI, personal injury, EEOICPA, long or short-term disability, Railroad Retirement Board disability, or a workers compensation matter, please contact the Law Offices of Tony Farmer and John Dreiser for a free case evaluation. We can be reached at (865) 584-1211 or (800) 806-4611 or through our website. m all sources when evaluating the severity of an impairment including all symptoms such as fatigue or pain and any functional limitations. The new ruling states that obesity may contribute to the limitation or range of motion of the skeletal spine and extremities and that people with obesity may have limitations and ability to sustain a function over time explaining that fatigue may affect the person’s physical and mental abilities to sustain work activity.
If you need more information about a Social Security Disability/SSI, personal injury, EEOICPA, long or short-term disability, Railroad Retirement Board disability, or a workers compensation matter, please contact the Law Offices of Tony Farmer and John Dreiser for a free case evaluation. We can be reached at (865) 584-1211 or (800) 806-4611 or through our website.