Is Vertigo Considered a Disability?

Vertigo is a feeling of dizziness. People suffering from vertigo may experience a sensation of spinning, a loss of balance, lightheadedness, nausea and blurred vision. Vertigo can be disabling for some people.

How Disabling Is It?

• In most cases, vertigo is more of an annoyance than a disability. However, some of the causes of vertigo may be very disabling. In severe cases, treatment involves surgery, which may also be disabling, at least for a time.

Causes of Vertigo

• Vertigo may be caused by a variety of things, including disorders of the inner ear, blood pressure problems, Meniere’s disease, head trauma, migraines, nervous system disorders and decreased blood flow to the brain. Some of these conditions are more disabling than others and some are more difficult to treat than others.

Social Security Disability

• Social Security provides disability benefits for people unable to work for at least one year due to a medical condition or disability. If vertigo is very severe and does not respond to treatment, a person suffering from the condition might qualify for Social Security Disability. In most cases, however, vertigo is not that severe and it usually responds well to treatment.

Short-Term Disability Insurance

• Short-term disability insurance usually provides coverage if a person must be out of work temporarily due to vertigo. Individual policies vary, though.

Americans With Disabilities Act

• The American with Disabilities Act says that employers must make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. If an employee has severe chronic vertigo, he can ask his employer to make accommodations for him if he needs them to perform his job.