Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Organic Mental Disorders
Organic mental disorders, also referred to as chronic organic brain syndromes, are afflictions of the brain that can lead to severe mental or behavioral problems. They may be permanent or temporary, and can be either hereditary or caused by injury, disease, or a structural or systemic defect in body chemistry or hormones. Organic mental disorders do not include disorders that result from substance abuse, nor do they include psychiatric disorders. Examples of common organic mental disorders are delirium, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and amnesia. Common symptoms may include confusion, memory loss, loss of brain function, and agitation, but symptoms can differ based on the condition. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 12.00 of the Blue Book.
Do Organic Mental Disorders Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with organic mental disorders do qualify, but they must meet the stipulations of BOTH Paragraph A and Paragraph B below, or ALL of the stipulations of Paragraph C.
A. You must demonstrate the loss of specific cognitive abilities or affective changes and must provide medical documentation of the persistence of at least one of the following:
- Disorientation with regard to time and place; OR
- Short, intermediate, or long term memory impairment, defined as either the inability to learn new information or the inability to remember information that was previously known; OR
- Perceptual or thinking disturbances (e.g., hallucinations, delusions); OR
- Change in personality; OR
- Disturbance in mood; OR
- Fluctuations in emotions and their intensity (e.g., explosive temper outbursts, sudden crying, etc.) and impairment in impulse control; OR
- Loss of measured intellectual ability of at least 15 I.Q. points or overall impairment index clearly within the severely impaired range on neuropsychological testing
B. These changes must result in at least two of the following:
- Marked restriction of the activities of daily living; AND/OR
- Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; AND/OR
- Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; AND/OR
- Repeated episodes of worsening symptoms, each of extended duration.
C. Medically documented history of a chronic Organic Mental Disorder of at least two years’ duration that has caused more than a minimal limitation of ability to do basic work activities, with symptoms or signs currently attenuated by medication or psychosocial support, AND one of the following:
- Repeated episodes of worsening symptoms, each of extended duration; OR
- A residual disease process that has resulted in such marginal adjustment that even a minimal increase in mental demands or change in the environment would be predicted to worsen the person’s symptoms; OR
- Current history of one or more years’ inability to function outside a highly supportive living arrangement, with an indication of continued need for such an arrangement.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with an organic mental disorder and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
