Pittsburgh Tinnitus Disability Lawyer

Tinnitus, an audiological and neurological condition in which you hear sounds that nobody else can hear, can arise as an acute or chronic condition. While treatments can help people cope with the condition, there is currently no cure for tinnitus.

If you are experiencing debilitating tinnitus that affects your ability to hold a job, you might be able to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Berger and Green’s Pittsburgh Social Security Disability (SSD) lawyer can help you or a loved one apply for SSD benefits or appeal a denial if the Social Security Administration (SSA) did not approve your benefits application. Call us today for a free case review with a member of our team.

Does SSA Consider Tinnitus a Disability That Is Eligible for Benefits?

No, the SSA’s Blue Book listing of impairments does not list tinnitus as a qualifying condition for disability benefits. However, if your tinnitus relates to another medical condition that the SSA lists among the qualifying impairments, the SSA will evaluate you under that listing.

For example, if you have Meniere’s disease, the claims examiner will evaluate your condition using Listing 2.07 – Disturbance of labyrinthine-vestibular function. For the SSA to deem you disabled under this listing, you must meet the following criteria: 

• A history of frequent occurrences of disturbed balance, tinnitus, and worsening hearing loss
• Caloric or other vestibular test results showing poor function of your vestibular labyrinth
• Hearing loss

To Receive SSD Benefits, Your Condition Must Be Disabling for At Least One Year

To qualify for disability benefits, you must have a condition that the Social Security Administration (SSA) views as disabling and prevents you from working for a year or more. The SSA will consider a claimant’s condition as disabling when either:

• It is in the SSA’s Blue Book and you meet the detailed severity criteria for that listing; or
• You have another condition or combination of conditions that are severe enough to prevent you from working.

If you are unsure if you qualify under the SSA’s listing of impairments, call Berger and Green today. Our disability benefits attorneys can help you understand if the SSA lists your condition or set of conditions as disabling. We can also offer advice if you do not meet the criteria.

What Are the Other Social Security Disability Benefits Requirements in Pittsburgh?

When the SSA evaluates your claim for tinnitus, it will use several criteria to see if you qualify for disability benefits. To win approval, you must:

• Have a medically determinable impairment that will last 12 months or longer or result in death
• Be incapable of engaging in SGA
• Meet other financial or work history requirements, depending on which benefit you are applying for

The financial and work history requirements are complex. If you are applying for (SSI), your income and assets must fall below a certain threshold because it is a need-based benefit program. On the other hand, if you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have a certain amount of recent work credits on your record to qualify.

We can review your situation and tell you which benefits you may qualify for. You could qualify for both. Still, whether you apply for one or both, they each have separate applications and application processes. We can complete these applications and file them for you.

How Our SSD Lawyers Can Help You Seek Social Security Disability Benefits for Tinnitus in Pittsburgh

Applying for Social Security Disability can be a long, complicated process for many applicants. It can be challenging to navigate, especially if you have a medical condition. Call our office to speak with our experienced legal time if you are unsure about applying for benefits. You can learn about your eligibility for SSA help and what to expect as the process unfolds. 

Our Pittsburgh disability lawyers can handle your case while you focus on taking care of your health. We will:

• Review your tinnitus condition and determine how your symptoms may meet the  qualifying criteria for impairments listed in SSA’s Blue Book
• Review your status to determine if you can receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (or both).
• Explain how to apply for disability benefits.
• Help to collect medical evidence (e.g., medical records, doctor’s notes) and other documentation to prove your eligibility for the qualifying impairment and showing how tinnitus is related to it
• Ensure the SSA can access essential information as it reviews your application
• Keep your case on track and meeting all important case deadlines
• Facilitate communication with the SSA and other parties
• Lead the appeals process if the SSA denies your initial claim

We Will Fight for Your Benefits If SSA Denies Your SSD Claims

Denied initial claims are not the end of the journey for many people seeking benefits from the SSA. Berger and Green’s extensive experience with disability claims has prepared us to successfully win Social Security disability cases on appeal.

If you have received a denial notice from SSA, call us as soon as possible to work with our Pittsburgh Social Security Disability denial lawyers. You must take prompt action in 60 days from your denial to appeal the SSA’s unfavorable decision. 

We will review the letter and determine how we can help. If there is time, our attorney can file your appeal and prepare your claim for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. We also will:

• Review why the SSA denied your benefits claim.
• Correct any application errors we find.
• Collect evidence to counter the denial.
• Present your case to the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) at a hearing.
• Advocate for your monthly benefits and any back pay compensation you could receive

We will also keep you updated during the period after the appeals hearing, which takes considerable time. You can always ask us questions and share your concerns, which we will address promptly.

 How Do I Prove My Disabling Condition to the SSA?

During the claims process, you must provide the SSA with contact information of any medical personnel who have treated your tinnitus. Your doctors will then submit detailed records that document your diagnosis and the extent of your condition. These medical files should include:

• Records from all the providers that have treated you for tinnitus and your related conditions
• Diagnostic tests specific to your condition, such as audiometry, electronystagmography, X-rays, CT scans, etc.
• Records from all medical exams
• Your doctor’s input on your condition, prognosis, and limitations based on medical evidence, observations, and analysis
• Treatments you have undergone and your response to them.

Without sufficient evidence, the SSA will deny your claim. If you are unsure if you have enough evidence to prove your condition, consider consulting with our disability attorneys. We can advise you on what the SSA is looking for in a disability claim for tinnitus.

How Can I Qualify as Disabled for Tinnitus If I Do Not Meet a Listing?

If you do not meet the criteria under any listing, you can still potentially win disability benefits if you can show the SSA that your condition is so impairing that you cannot engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). This means that, each month, you earn less than the amount the SSA deems necessary to make a living. For 2024, this limit is $1,550 monthly for non-blind individuals ($2,590 monthly for blind individuals). 

If you file a claim, the claims examiner will review all your medical files, your symptoms and limitations, and other submitted evidence like your residual functional capacity (RFC) form to determine if you have a disability. The RFC helps the SSA determine your limitations and whether you can still work in some capacity.

For example, your tinnitus may affect your hearing, ability to concentrate, and ability to understand or carry out work-related tasks. The examiner will also consider your education, work history, and age when making their decision. 

Call for SSD Benefits Help From a Pittsburgh Tinnitus Lawyer – Free Consultation

If you are managing and trying to work with tinnitus that makes it hard for you to work and carry out your daily tasks, including working, you could qualify for disability benefits. Berger and Green’s tinnitus attorneys in Pittsburgh are ready to explain, complete, and file your disability benefits application. We always aim for a favorable outcome for our clients and do everything we can to help them.

If your initial claim has been denied, call us now so we can advise you further. We can talk with you more during a free consultation. If we accept your case, you won’t owe us any payment for us to get started. We work on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if you recover benefits.