Social Security Disability (SSDI & SSI) for Organic Mental Disorders

Organic mental disorders are covered in the SSA impairment listing manual by listing 12.02 and are defined by the Social Security Administration as abnormalities of a behavioral or psychological nature that are associated with brain dysfunction. Organic mental disorders, also known as organic brain syndrome, can be caused by traumatic brain injury or degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

For disability claim purposes, organic mental disorders are evaluated according to a patient's history, lab test results, and the results of a physical examination that demonstrates the existence of a specific organic factor that forms the etiological basis (cause) for the abnormal mental state (and lost functional abilities) experienced by an individual.

To learn more about getting disability for loss of mental function based on a decrease in I.Q., see our article on disability benefits and I.Q. scores.