then why is the ratio of applications approved to applications received at a 25-year low?
Applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits rose to 2.9 million and new SSDI awards totaled over one million — both records — in 2010. However, the ratio of applications approved as a percentage of applications received remains near its 25-year low. Over 5.9 percent of the workforce, or 8.2 million workers, were receiving SSDI at the conclusion of 2010.
SOURCE: Council for Disability Awareness