229.05 Social Security's Permanent Disability Criteria (FSM)

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Social Security presumes permanent disability status for any of the following:

• permanent loss of use of both hands, both feet, or one hand and one foot,

• amputation of a leg at the hip,

• amputation of a leg or foot because of diabetes mellitus or peripheral vascular diseases,

• total deafness, not correctable by surgery or hearing aid,

• statutory blindness, unless caused by cataracts or detached retina,

• IQ of 59 or less, established after the individual reaches age 16.

• spinal cord or nerve root lesions resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia,

• multiple sclerosis in which there is damage to the nervous system because of scattered areas of inflammation. The inflammation recurs and has progressed to varied interference with the function of the nervous system, including severe muscle weakness, paralysis, and vision and speech defects,

• muscular dystrophy with irreversible wasting of the muscles, impairing the use of arms or legs,

• Down’s Syndrome (mongolism),

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS),

• impaired kidney function caused by chronic renal disease, resulting in severely reduced function which may require dialysis or kidney transplant, or

• amputation of a limb of an individual age 55 or older.

Social Security considers certain additional conditions as permanent disabilities. Social Security refers to these conditions as "MINE" (Medical Improvement Not Expected) disabilities. Each DHHS District Office Supervisor has a copy of the MINE list.

References: RSA 161:4-a,IV, 7 CFR 271.2, 7 USC 2012(j), 20 CFR 416, subpart I