Page 183

veteran and considered by VA to be permanently incapable of self-support under Title 38 of the U.S. Code. An individual who: • Receives disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability considered permanent under Section 221(I) of the Social Security Act. • Is a surviving spouse or child of a veteran and considered by VA to be entitled to compensation for a service-connected death or pension benefits of a non-service connected death under Title 38 of the U.S. Code and has a disability considered permanent under Section 221(I) of the Social Security Act. If it is obvious to the SSR that the individual has one of the disabilities listed on SSA’s most current list of disabilities considered permanent under the Social Security Act, the household is considered to have a verified disability. If the disability is not obvious to the SSR, the household must provide a statement from a physician or licensed or certified psychologist certifying that the individual either has one of the disabilities listed or is unable to purchase meals because s/he suffers from some other severe permanent physical or mental disease or non-disease- related disability. This medical statement is reviewed by the MRT, which decides whether the individual meets the required disability standard. An individual who receives an annuity payment under Section 2(a)(I)(iv) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 is determined to be eligible to receive Medicare by the Railroad Retirement Board or Section 2(a)(I)(iv) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, and is determined to be disabled based upon the criteria used under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. The household must provide proof that the individual receives a Railroad Retirement Disability annuity from the Railroad Retirement Board and has been determined to qualify for Medicare.

The following is a partial list of disabilities considered permanent under the SSA:

• permanent loss of the use of both hands, both feet, or one hand and one foot; • amputation of a leg at a hip; • amputation of a leg or foot because of diabetes mellitus or a peripheral vascular disease; • total deafness not correctable by surgery or a hearing aid; • statutory (that is, legal) blindness, except if due to cataracts or a detached retina. • IQ of 59 or less established after age 16; • paraplegia or quadriplegia; • multiple sclerosis that is severe and recurring and includes muscle weakness, paralysis, or interference of vision or speech; • muscular dystrophy with a significant effect on the use of the arms or legs; and • chronic renal disease (documented by persistent, adverse objective findings) resulting in severely reduced kidney function.

As discussed in Section 1.3: Mandatory Group Members in this Part, a person at least 60 years old, his/her spouse, and their children under 18 may choose to be a separate group from those