Can You Get Disability for Vertigo?
Living with vertigo can feel like the world is constantly spinning beneath your feet. For many, the symptoms aren’t merely a nuisance—they disrupt daily life and make holding a job nearly impossible.
The good news is that it is possible to get disability for vertigo. However, you must first understand how the Social Security Administration evaluates vertigo. It’s also important to know which symptoms matter most and how to make a strong claim for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI benefits.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a condition that causes the sensation of motion or spinning, even when perfectly still. It’s not a disease itself, but a symptom of an underlying problem, usually involving the inner ear or brain. People with vertigo may feel like their surroundings are tilting, spinning, or swaying. These sensations may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating, and significant balance problems.
While occasional vertigo can happen to anyone, chronic or severe episodes are a daily challenge for some people. Simple actions such as standing up, walking across a room, or driving a car can be difficult and even dangerous. This level of instability doesn’t just affect mobility. It can also impact concentration, confidence, and the ability to hold a steady job.
Common causes of vertigo include Ménière’s disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis, and labyrinthitis. Some cases stem from head injuries or neurological conditions. Because the SSA only approves disability claims that meet specific criteria, knowing the cause of your vertigo improves your chances of being approved for benefits.
Is Vertigo Considered a Disability?
The SSA does not list vertigo itself as a disability because it’s a symptom, not a standalone diagnosis. However, vertigo can be considered disabling if it’s part of a larger medical condition or severe enough on its own.
To qualify for SSDI, you must show that your vertigo makes it impossible to work, not just at your current job but any full-time job available in the national economy. This evidence involves proving that your symptoms are frequent, persistent, and expected to last 12 months or more. The SSA also considers how vertigo interferes with daily activities, such as walking, standing, focusing, or communicating with others.
Many people don’t realize the SSA looks beyond diagnosis codes to evaluate the functional limitations your condition causes. If your vertigo prevents you from working safely or consistently, it may qualify as a disability. Still, the burden of proof is on you, the applicant, which is why medical records, test results, and doctor statements matter so much.
SSA Blue Book Listings Relevant to Vertigo
The SSA assesses an applicant’s condition using its Blue Book listings of impairments to decide whether it meets certain disability criteria. Vertigo is often assessed under the following two listings:
Listing 2.07: Disturbance of Labyrinthine-Vestibular Function
Listing 2.07 focuses on disorders affecting balance, such as Ménière’s disease. Applicants need documented episodes of balance disturbance, tinnitus, and progressive hearing loss to meet the criteria. The SSA also requires results from vestibular function testing that confirm the presence of an inner ear disorder. If you have the right diagnosis and supporting evidence, you may qualify automatically under this listing.
Listing 11.00: Neurological Disorders
Some neurological conditions specified in Listing 11.00 can cause vertigo. If your dizziness is due to a stroke, multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury, the SSA may evaluate it under this section. The SSA assesses how neurological damage affects your movement, coordination, and ability to concentrate or perform tasks.
Applicants who don’t meet the criteria of either listing may still qualify through a “medical-vocational allowance.” This classification means your symptoms don’t match the listings exactly, but the SSA agrees your condition still prevents you from holding a job.
Symptoms of Vertigo That May Qualify for SSDI
Specific symptoms can strengthen your case, especially if they occur frequently and disrupt your ability to work:
- Dizziness or spinning sensations: Episodes may be frequent and unpredictable and cause safety risks at home or on the job.
- Balance issues: Repeated falls caused by dizziness and poor balance may indicate a serious inner ear problem or neurological disorder.
- Nausea and vomiting: Chronic nausea reduces appetite, energy levels, and the ability to focus.
- Tinnitus: Grappling with a constant ringing in your ears interferes with communication and concentration.
- Hearing loss: Difficulty hearing makes many jobs and daily interactions harder.
- Difficulty concentrating or performing daily activities: Trouble focusing or completing tasks due to dizziness or disorientation demonstrates how disabling vertigo truly is.
How To Qualify for Disability With Vertigo
Getting approved for SSDI involves more than just listing your symptoms. The SSA requires clinical proof of your condition. For vertigo-related claims, certain tests are especially important:
- Vestibular function testing: This series of tests evaluates how well your inner ear and balance system work. It’s one of the most trusted tools for proving vertigo-related disabilities.
- Pure tone audiometry: This test checks your ability to hear tones at different pitches and volumes. It helps identify hearing loss that might be tied to vertigo-causing conditions.
- Speech audiometry: This measures how well you hear and understand spoken words. In jobs where people communicate verbally, poor results may support your disability claim.
- Bekesy audiometry: In this self-paced test, you signal when you hear a sound. It identifies fluctuations in your hearing ability, which may point to an inner ear disorder.
Even with strong test results, it’s still worthwhile to obtain supporting evidence from a doctor or specialist who can explain how vertigo affects your ability to function.
Common Reasons for Denial of Vertigo Disability Claims
It’s not unusual for the SSA to deny vertigo claims. Understanding the reasons for such denials can help you avoid common mistakes and submit the strongest claim possible on the first attempt:
- Insufficient medical evidence: If your records don’t include test results or detailed notes from doctors, the SSA may reject your claim for lack of proof.
- Non-compliance with treatment: Skipping doctor appointments or failing to follow prescribed treatments can make it look like your condition isn’t that serious.
- Inconsistent work history: Gaps or erratic work records might raise questions about your disability. Explain any breaks in employment and connect them to your symptoms when possible.
If your claim is denied, don’t panic—this isn’t the end of the road. Many applicants win on appeal after submitting stronger evidence and working with someone who understands the system inside and out.
How Disability Advice Can Assist With Your Vertigo Disability Claim
Struggling with vertigo is difficult enough without the added stress of deciphering a complex government program. Disability Advice is here to simplify the SSDI process and help you get the benefits you deserve.
We’re your trusted SSDI resource. Whether you’re applying for the first time or appealing a denial, we offer expert guidance and real support at every stage. Our team will help you gather the right medical evidence, fill out forms correctly, and present your case clearly. We don’t charge any fees unless you win your case.
Contact us today for help with your SSDI application or appeal to give yourself the best chance of receiving compensation.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
- What Is Vertigo?
- Is Vertigo Considered a Disability?
- SSA Blue Book Listings Relevant to Vertigo
- Symptoms of Vertigo That May Qualify for SSDI
- How To Qualify for Disability With Vertigo
- Common Reasons for Denial of Vertigo Disability Claims
- How Disability Advice Can Assist With Your Vertigo Disability Claim
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“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
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