Millions of Americans live with disabilities that significantly impact their daily lives. Disability programs in the U.S. offer crucial financial support to people who cannot work due to these conditions.
Key programs include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, and workers’ compensation. While these programs provide essential benefits, they often fall short of covering the full financial burden of living with a disability.
SSDI is the largest disability benefits program, with 8,779,931 disabled beneficiaries as of 2023. Below are the top ten disabilities based on the SSDI Annual Statistical Report.
#1. Mental Disorders – 3,016,791 (34.4%)
This is one of the most diverse diagnostic categories. Combined, mental disorders are the most common type of disability among SSDI beneficiaries.
This category includes:
- Depressive, bipolar, and related disorders (11.5%): 1,010,145
- Intellectual disabilities (9.0%): 791,125
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (4.7%): 415,369
- Other mental disorders (4.5%): 397,591
- Neurocognitive disorders (3.0%): 264,491
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (1.3%): 117,159
- Developmental disabilities (0.2%): 17,669
Depression, bipolar disorder, and related mood disorders are the single-most disabling types of mental disorder. Depression alone affects 9.5% of adults in the country at some point.
Intellectual disabilities include Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and fragile X syndrome (FXS). Down syndrome is the leading genetic cause of intellectual disability. FXS is the most common inherited form of mental impairment. Among disabled adult children receiving SSDI benefits, intellectual disorders were the top cause.
The sub-category of “other mental disorders” includes everything from eating disorders like anorexia nervosa to anxiety disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Neurocognitive disorders refer to dementia, also known as major neurocognitive disorder (MND). Alzheimer’s disease alone accounts for 70% of dementia cases. Other types of dementia include vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Lewy body dementia.
#2. Musculoskeletal Disorders – 2,639,488 (30%)
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. when mental disorders are broken down by type. These conditions impact the bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues.
Examples of musculoskeletal disorders include:
- Arthritis
- Lower back pain
- Degenerative disc disorder
- Severe burns
- Tendinitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fractures
- Amputation
Musculoskeletal disorders from workplace accidents are the leading reason for workers’ compensation claims. Arthritis alone is believed to be the top cause of disability in the United States.
#3. Nervous System Disorders – 893,820 (10.2%)
Disorders of the nervous system include conditions that affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or peripheral nervous system (sensory organs and nerves).
Common examples include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage or neuralgia (nerve pain)
- Vision or hearing loss
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
The nervous system is crucial for movement, sensation, thought, emotion, and bodily functions. A disorder that affects even one of these areas can cause significant impairment. Spinal cord and brain injuries are hallmark examples of catastrophic injuries.
#4. Circulatory System Diseases – 593,011 (6.8%)
Circulatory disorders, such as heart disease and stroke, significantly impact a person’s ability to function. Heart disease, a broad term referring to many conditions affecting the heart, is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Heart attack, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and atherosclerosis are common examples of circulatory diseases.
#5. Injuries – 301,699 (3.4%)
The SSDI Annual Statistical Report includes a category for injuries. However, people who are disabled by an injury qualify for benefits based on the classification or area of the body, such as a nervous system or musculoskeletal disorder.
Injuries account for 3.4% of approved SSDI claims and about 6% of workers’ compensation claims. These injuries range from lacerations, sprains, and strains to penetrating and crushing injuries. Severe injuries are usually caused by car accidents, falls, and work-related accidents.
#6. Neoplasms or Tumors – 270,812 (3.0%)
Neoplasms, both malignant (cancerous) and benign, can lead to significant disability. Common cancers like breast, lung, and prostate cancer can be disabling, especially if they spread or require aggressive treatment like surgery or chemotherapy. Certain benign tumors, particularly those affecting the brain, can also lead to significant functional impairments.
#7. Respiratory System Diseases – 215,638 (2.5%)
Respiratory system diseases affect the lungs and breathing. Common examples include:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pulmonary hypertension
These diseases can be caused by genetics, infection, smoking, or exposure to pollution or hazardous materials like asbestos and radon.
#8. Endocrine, Nutritional, and Metabolic Diseases – 197,210 (2.2%)
This broad category of disorders affects hormones, enzymes, and the body’s ability to convert one molecule into another.
Examples can include:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
- Gout
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Addison’s disease
Diabetes is the most common type of endocrine and metabolic disorder, affecting about 14.7% of the American adult population.
#9. Unknown Disorders – 165,175 (1.9%)
Almost 2% of SSDI beneficiaries have an unknown disorder. This includes rare or relatively unknown disorders and disorders that do not have a recognized name.
#10. Genitourinary System Disorders – 156,429 (1.8%)
Also known as urogenital disorders, these conditions affect the reproductive and urinary systems.
Examples include:
- Polycystic renal disease
- Ovarian cysts
- Endometritis
- Hernias
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Kidney disease
These conditions can cause a range of symptoms, including chronic pain and difficulty holding or emptying the bladder. Disorders affecting the kidneys can also affect the removal of toxins, metabolism, and hormone management.
Contact Our Las Vegas Personal Injury Law Firm For Help Today
Disability benefits are vital for many people who cannot work due to a disabling condition. However, these programs have limitations. Benefits are capped, and strict eligibility requirements can prevent some individuals from accessing adequate support. Sadly, many people are trapped in poverty due to income and asset limits imposed by programs like SSI.
If you’ve been injured in Las Vegas, NV, and need legal help, contact our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation today. We have three locations in Nevada for your convenience, including Las Vegas, Summerlin, and Henderson.
We’re proud to serve Clark County and the surrounding areas.
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Las Vegas Office
1149 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 222-9999
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Summerlin Office
410 S Rampart Blvd, Ste 480 Las Vegas, NV 89145
(702) 297-6373
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Henderson Office
9555 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123
(702) 997-4264