What aspect can be evaluated to determine if a condition is equivalent to a disability?

To determine if a condition is equivalent to a disability, medical equivalence is evaluated. This involves assessing whether a claimant's medical condition is functionally equivalent to a listed impairment in the Social Security Administration's (SSA) impairment listings. The SSA compares the severity and impact of the individual's medical condition against established medical criteria to ascertain whether it meets or is equal to the severity of a listed disability.

Medical equivalence is assessed through the analysis of clinical findings, laboratory results, and the overall impact of the impairment on the individual's ability to perform work-related activities. This allows the SSA to make informed decisions about eligibility for disability benefits, even if the specific medical condition does not exactly match a listed impairment.

Considering this, while job availability, the age of the applicant, and severity of symptoms may influence factors surrounding disability, they do not directly address whether the medical condition itself meets the criteria necessary for determination as a disability. Therefore, the focus on medical equivalence is crucial in understanding the evaluation process for disability status.