Many people are surprised to learn that obesity can play a consequential role in a Social Security Disability Insurance claim. Simply being obese does not automatically qualify someone for SSDI benefits. Instead, the Social Security Administration evaluates how obesity affects a person’s ability to work and perform daily activities, either on its own or in combination with other medical conditions.
SSA no longer maintains a specific disability listing for obesity. Nevertheless, the agency recognizes that obesity can significantly impair physical functioning and may worsen other serious health problems. As a result, obesity remains a factor that disability examiners must consider when evaluating claims.
The potentially consequential nature of obesity
For some individuals, obesity contributes to substantial limitations in mobility and endurance. Walking, standing, climbing stairs, bending, lifting or performing repetitive tasks may become difficult or impossible. Severe obesity may also affect a person’s ability to sit comfortably for extended periods, which can impact many sedentary jobs.
Obesity is frequently associated with other medical conditions that may strengthen an SSDI claim. These conditions can include osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, chronic back pain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, respiratory disorders and hypertension. In many cases, the combined effect of obesity and related medical problems creates greater limitations than any single condition alone.
The SSA is required to consider how obesity interacts with other impairments. For example, an individual with moderate arthritis may experience far greater functional limitations when obesity places additional stress on weight-bearing joints. Likewise, obesity may worsen breathing difficulties, fatigue and cardiovascular symptoms. SSDI claims are based on functional limitations rather than body weight alone.
The key question in a claim involving obesity is whether the medical condition or combination of conditions prevents substantial gainful employment for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
