Obesity
It is estimated that more than 30 percent of the adult population currently suffers from obesity. While the severity of the limitations surrounding obesity obviously varies from case to case, some of the individuals are simply unable to work because of the condition. Obesity is defined by the Social Security Administration ("SSA") as a chronic disease that is characterized by excessive buildup of body fat. Someone with a body mass index ("BMI") of 30 and over is considered obese, and an individual with a BMI of 40 or more is considered morbidly obese. SSA removed obesity from its listing of impairments due to the fact that many individuals who are still morbidly obese could function adequately at work. Under Social Security Rule 19-2p, the Social Security Administration is required to evaluate the effects of obesity on a claimant. Specifically, obesity, when established by objective medical evidence (signs, laboratory findings, or both) from an acceptable medical s...