What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?
Households with a disability may earn less than other than non-disabled households and be at risk of poverty. As a result, many rely on disability benefits to survive.
The most common sources of disability compensation include:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – Benefits are earned based on the worker’s work credits. There are 7.6 million disabled worker beneficiaries in the U.S.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Benefits are based on disability, age, and income. There are 7.4 million beneficiaries in the U.S.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) – There are 3.9 million veterans who receive VA disability benefits.
- Workers’ Compensation – This program covers work-related illnesses and injuries.
Below are the ten most common disabilities, according to the SSDI Annual Statistical Report, workers’ compensation statistics, and the ACS.
1. Musculoskeletal Disorders (30%)
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissues. These disorders account for 30% of SSDI beneficiaries, and 65% of workers’ compensation claims. Musculoskeletal disorders are often caused by workplace accidents, but they can also develop gradually due to repetitive strain.
Common disabling musculoskeletal disorders include:
- Arthritis
- Tendinitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Lower back pain
- Degenerative disc disorder
- Severe burns
- Complex, multiple, or non-healing fractures
- Amputation or loss of limb
Arthritis alone is believed to be the leading cause of disability nationwide.
2. Depression and Other Depressive Disorders (12%)
Major depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, and related disorders can significantly affect many areas of life, including the ability to work.
Depression can be disabling, but it’s also more prevalent in adults with disabilities. The prevalence is estimated at 25% to 41% in adults with disabilities. It affects about 9.5% of American adults, and it is around 50% more common among women than men.
3. Nervous System Disorders (10%)
The central nervous system (CNS) comprises the spinal cord and brain. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is a vast network of nerves branching from the spinal cord. It also includes sensory organs that detect stimuli and send information to the brain, including the eyes, tongue, skin, nose, and ears.
Common conditions affecting the nervous system and sense organs include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Nerve pain (neuralgia)
The nervous system sends and receives messages between the brain and the body. It’s responsible for sensation, movement, bodily functions, thoughts, emotions, and more. Nervous system disorders can have a significant impact on every area of life.
4. Intellectual Disorders (9%)
Intellectual disorders are diagnosed in childhood. These conditions cause impaired adaptive functioning, learning difficulties, and intelligence substantially below average.
Common types of intellectual disabilities include:
- Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), the most common preventable type of intellectual disability caused by prenatal alcohol exposure
- Down syndrome, the most common genetic cause of intellectual disabilities
- Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of mental impairment, which is usually far more severe in males
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder that causes mental impairment, short stature, and constant hunger
These disorders account for 9% of SSDI beneficiaries but make up 14% of working-age beneficiaries of SSI and SSDI.
5. Circulatory Disorders (6.7%)
Cardiovascular or circulatory disorders affect the heart, veins, and arteries.
It can include:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common form of heart disease, is caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Heart valve disease
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries
- Heart rhythm issues like arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat
- Endocarditis
Heart disease, which refers to many types of conditions affecting the heart, is a leading cause of disability and death. About one out of every five deaths in the U.S. is related to heart disease.
5. Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders (4.7%)
Psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, postpartum depression (PPD), and psychotic depression. These disorders are severe and cause hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, confusion, and altered perception of reality. A psychotic disorder affects the ability to process information and perceive the world.
7. Other Mental Disorders (4.5%)
Other mental health conditions can cause disability beyond depressive and psychotic disorders. Common examples include eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
8. Injuries (3.4%)
Injuries are responsible for 6% of workers’ compensation claims and 3.4% of approved SSDI claims. Disabling injuries are usually the result of workplace accidents, falls, and car accidents. This category of disability can include everything from sprains, strains, and lacerations to crush injuries and penetrating injuries.
9. Tumors Or Neoplasms (3%)
Tumors that qualify for disability are usually malignant. Examples include breast, lung, prostate, bladder, colorectal, and skin cancer. Some benign tumors, particularly brain tumors, may also qualify.
10. Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) Or Dementia (3%)
Dementia, now known as a major neurocognitive disorder, is a leading type of disability. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 70% of cases of MND. Other forms include Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and vascular dementia.
Some types of dementia may have an early onset, such as frontotemporal dementia. However, age is the biggest risk factor. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every five years after the age of 65. For most people, symptoms first appear in their 60s or later.
A Peoria Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your Claim
Have you suffered a serious injury in an accident? If it was caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional behavior, you may have options for recovering compensation outside of these disability programs. Schedule a free consultation with a Peoria personal injury lawyer to explore your legal options.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers At Joel E. Brown, P.C. in Peoria for Assistance Today
To learn more, contact our skilled personal injury attorney at Joel E. Brown, P.C to schedule a free consultation. We are conveniently located in Peoria and proudly serve Peoria County, IL, and the neighboring communities.
Joel E. Brown, P.C
416 Main St Suite 1300 Peoria, IL 61602, United States
(309) 673 4357
Available 24/7