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Archive for July, 2010

Social Security–scare stories and myths: Part 2
SSDI really does need help, and quickly

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

[Editor's note: This is the second and final part of a discussion on threats real and imagined to the Social Security retirement program and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Part 1 is here.]

Writing for “Your Money” in the July 30 edition of The New York Times, Tara Siegel Barnard says the mounting national debt will exert increasing pressure on lawmakers to reduce and that Social Security may well be one program they will tap for reductions.

“The program,” Barnard writes, “which has its own dedicated stream of income, is projected to pay out more this year than it is taking in, but that is a function of the weak economy. Social Security will, according to the last annual report from its trustees, be able to pay full benefits through 2037. Then, if there are no changes in the program in the meantime, the taxes collected will be enough to pay out only about 75 percent of benefits through 2083.

“So while Social Security’s finances are stable in the short term, most experts agree that the program needs to be bolstered for the long term. Among the proposals circulating is one from Representative John Boehner of Ohio, the House Republican leader, who recently suggested raising the retirement age to 70 for people at least 20 years from retirement.

“Other options include increasing Social Security payroll taxes, subjecting more income to the tax, reducing initial benefit payments or cutting cost-of-living increases (which would affect current retirees).”

In short, Barnard’s assessment comes closer to that of MoveOn.org and its Top 5 Social Security Myths than with the position (from Part 1) of the Poughkeepsie Journal, which says “Social Security could run out of money in about 17 years.”  Barnard quotes the trustees as saying the fund can pay full benefits until 2017; MoveOn says “the next quarter century.” Close enough.

Then, with different perspectives, Barnard and MoveOn basically agree that after that, Social Security can still meet about 75 per cent of its obligations–and that’s with no changes.

From that point, Barnard takes a different tack, postulating various scenarios in which a hypothetical couple is forced to save more and more (that is, cut spending) just to afloat for their retirement years. For the conclusion, Barnard quotes a financial planner consulted for the column:

“One financial planner, who has dual citizenship in the United States and Greece, said he was not taking chances. ‘Having seen what happened in Greece, I feel even more strongly today that I should not count on any Social Security for me and my younger clients,’ said the planner, George Papadopoulos, 43, of Novi, Mich. ‘I will continue to tell clients not to highly rely on Social Security and think of any money coming their way as gravy.’ ”

It’s a good column, peppered with thoughtful points and sobering consideration. But, taken together with MoveON.org’s Top 5 Myths, it doesn’t sound as though we need to panic about the retirement aspect of the Social Security fund.

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) fund, however, is in trouble. And fixing it requires way more than Band-Aid legislation in the next few years. In short, the fund is financed mostly by a 1.8 per cent payroll tax and at current rates will be in serious trouble in only five years. And by 2018, a short three years later, it will be broke, according to a recent study by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which makes a brief available here.

A July 27 report at DOTmedNews says the main reason for the projected shortfall will be increases in the number of recipients, but that the financial crisis also will be a contributing factor. “Between 1970 and 2009, the program increased from 2.7 million to 9.7 million people.

“The reasons for the growth in beneficiaries include aging of the population; changes in laws that reversed previous restrictive policies in obtaining benefits; the growth of women in the workplace; and changes in overall health of the population. The last reason is not clearly defined, but may relate to some conditions no longer having the same mortality rate, such as HIV/AIDS. Another factor for the growth seems to be lack of job opportunities due to the current economic crisis.”

Indeed, from the brief itself, the CBO writes: “Between 1970 and 2009, the number of people receiving
DI benefits more than tripled, from 2.7 million to 9.7 million.  That jump, which significantly outpaced the increase in the working-age population during that period, is attributable to several changes—in characteristics of that population, in federal policy, and in opportunities for employment.”

Of course, the elephant in the room here is the Baby Boomers and attendant rise of women in the workforce. And those numbers aren’t diminishing anytime, soon.

However, one item that seems to get overlooked is administrative costs. The CBO is quick to point out other remedies: reduce outlays (read “cut benefits”); increase the payroll tax allotment; find other sources of federal funds; even one suggestion about modifying the regs on acceptable work limits.

Yet, look at the rise in internal costs that accompanied the more-than-tripling of beneficiaries: “In addition, during those years, the average inflation-adjusted cost per person receiving DI benefits rose from about $6,900 to about $12,800 (in 2010 dollars). As a result, inflation-adjusted expenditures for the DI program, including administrative costs, increased nearly sevenfold between 1970 and 2009, climbing from $18 billion to $124 billion (in 2010 dollars).”

The brief includes a summary that opens the door for discussion about ways to fix the program, and we’ll revisit this topic from time to time in future installments. But the takeaway here is abundantly clear: We have time to ensure that Social Security retirement benefits are properly funded, thereby easing fears of the younger generation that they will be shortchanged.

But the time to address the coming shortfall in SDDI funding is upon us, today,

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Social Security: scary truths, or hoary scare tactics?

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) has taken some heat over supposed comments about raising the age for Social Security in order to fund the war. A quick search shows the Dems and GOP may be playing tit for tat (although Boehner did introduce legislation that would have hacked VA funding–but the three proposals were withdrawn at the last minute).

One thing is certain, though: in the national debate about the soundness of Social Security, confusion reigns.  It’s important to understand the arguments and get accurate information because although each program has separate funding, the general Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are all administered by the Social Security Administration. In fact, some of the confusion over retirement benefits may have come about due to a recent discouraging report about SSDI from the Congressional Budget Office (more in Part 2).

Dividing the debate into two camps, we have on one end of the spectrum the Sky-is-Falling group, who maintain Social Security is doomed without drastic intervention; the other side we might label as the Hogwash group, who maintain not only is the general Social Security fund in good shape but also that Sky Fallers are blowing things out of proportion in an attempt to scare people into accepting fewer benefits.

This is from poughkeepsiejournal.com (July 27), an example of the Falling Sky position:

“A recent congressional report paints a bleak picture, indeed. It says Social Security could run out of money in about 17 years, as the program now pays out more money in benefits than it collects in payroll taxes. It faces a staggering $5.3 trillion shortfall over the next 75 years, unless changes are made. No wonder a recent USA Today/Gallup Poll showed that public confidence in the system is waning.

“The solvency of Social Security affects everyone. The program, the main source of income for millions of retirees, is financed by a 6.2 percent payroll tax on wages below $106,800. The tax is paid by workers and matched by employers. Currently, 53 million Americans get Social Security benefits averaging $1,067 a month.”

The Hogwashers say that’s baloney, designed to get you riled up then despondent enough to accept less–eventually. For instance, here’s an edited version of the  Top Five Social Security Myths from MoveOn.org (read there for the full text, including footnotes and citations):

Myth: Social Security is going broke.

Reality: There is no Social Security crisis. By 2023, Social Security will have a $4.3 trillion surplus (yes, trillion with a ‘T’). It can pay out all scheduled benefits for the next quarter-century with no changes whatsoever.1 After 2037, it’ll still be able to pay out 75% of scheduled benefits–and again, that’s without any changes. The program started preparing for the Baby Boomers retirement decades ago.2 Anyone who insists Social Security is broke probably wants to break it themselves.

Myth: We have to raise the retirement age because people are living longer.

Reality: This is a red-herring to trick you into agreeing to benefit cuts. Retirees are living about the same amount of time as they were in the 1930s. The reason average life expectancy is higher is mostly because many fewer people die as children than did 70 years ago.3 What’s more, what gains there have been are distributed very unevenly–since 1972, life expectancy increased by 6.5 years for workers in the top half of the income brackets, but by less than 2 years for those in the bottom half.4 But those intent on cutting Social Security love this argument because raising the retirement age is the same as an across-the-board benefit cut.

Myth: The Social Security Trust Fund has been raided and is full of IOUs.

Reality: Not even close to true. The Social Security Trust Fund isn’t full of IOUs, it’s full of U.S. Treasury Bonds. And those bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.7 The reason Social Security holds only treasury bonds is the same reason many Americans do: The federal government has never missed a single interest payment on its debts.

Myth: Benefit cuts are the only way to fix Social Security.

Reality: Social Security doesn’t need to be fixed. But if we want to strengthen it, here’s a better way: Make the rich pay their fair share. If the very rich paid taxes on all of their income, Social Security would be sustainable for decades to come.5 Right now, high earners only pay Social Security taxes on the first $106,000 of their income.6

Myth: Social Security adds to the deficit

Reality: It’s not just wrong — it’s impossible! By law, Social Security funds are separate from the budget, and it must pay its own way. That means that Social Security can’t add one penny to the deficit.1

Perhaps there is a mid-position, though. A July 30 “Your Money” column in The New York Times takes the stance that even though the long-terms threats will have to be dealt with, Social Security in the near-term is in good shape. The column takes a look at worst-case scenarios for a test-case couple and makes suggestions about increased savings. We’ll examine that and the very real problem facing SSDI in Part 2.

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Avoidant Personality Disorder and Receiving Social Security Disability

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Personality disorder is a broad term that is used for a type of mental illness in which the way that you relate to others, comprehend situations and the ways in which you think are dysfunctional. You may not realize that there are many different, specific kinds of personality disorders.

A personality disorder is marked by a rigid and potentially self-destructive, self-denigrating manner of thinking and behaving regardless of what the situation is. This results in hampering your ability to carry out routine functions at work, school or social situations. It leads to distress in your life.

You may or may not be aware that you have a personality disorder. This is due to believing that the way in which you act and think is natural. You may blame others for your circumstances.

Nearly 15% of adults in the United States have some kind of personality disorder. This means that over 30 million Americans have some type of personality disorder.

Avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) or (anxious personality disorder) is one of these forms of personality disorder. It is marked by a pervasive pattern of extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation, feelings of inadequacy, social inhibition and avoidance of social interaction. Avoidant personality disorder is a lifelong pattern of feeling extremely inadequate, shy and sensitive to rejection.

Avoidant personality disorder occurs in about 0.5% to 1% of the general population. Men and women are affected equally by this disorder.

No clear cause for avoidant personality disorder has been established. Some experts think that it has to do with genetics and how you were raised by your parents.

There are some signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of avoidant personality disorder. These include:

  • A reluctance to try a new activity or to take personal risks for fear of being embarrassed
  • Being preoccupied with being rejected or criticized in social situations
  • Being inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy
  • Avoiding occupational activities that involve a good amount of interpersonal contact because of being afraid of disapproval, rejection or criticism
  • Viewing yourself as inferior to others, socially inept or personally unappealing
  • Not willing to get involved with people unless you are sure of being liked.

You may have avoidant personality disorder. This disorder and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with the disorder may be the cause of your disability.

Have you applied for financial assistance from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by avoidant personality disorder and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with it? Were you denied?

If you intend to appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration, always remember this. People who have a disability lawyer like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who are not represented by an attorney.

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Personality Disorder and Receiving Social Security Disability

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Personality disorder is a broad term that is used to refer to a type of mental illness where the way that you comprehend situations, relate to others and the ways in which you think are dysfunctional. As you might imagine, there are many different, specific kinds of personality disorders.

A personality disorder involves a rigid and potentially self-denigrating or self-destructive way of behaving and thinking regardless of what the situation is. This results in hampering your ability to carry out routine functions at school, social situations or work. Or, it brings about distress in your life.

You may or may not be conscious of the fact that you have a personality disorder. This is because the way that you think and act may seem natural to you. You may think that others are to blame for your circumstances.

Nearly 15% of adults in the United States have some kind of personality disorder. This means that over 30 million Americans have some type of personality disorder.

Researchers believe that personality disorders are caused by a combination of environmental and genetic influences in your life. Some research seems to indicate that a person may inherit a genetic vulnerability to having a personality disorder and that your life environment may be the trigger for developing it.

There are some risk factors that may increase your likelihood of having a personality disorder. These include:

  • Being diagnosed with childhood conduct disorder
  • Being a victim of physical, sexual or verbal abuse during your childhood
  • Losing your parents because of divorce or death during your childhood
  • Having a family history of mental illness or personality disorders
  • Having had a chaotic or unstable family life during your childhood.

Because there are so many different types of personality disorders, there are many different signs and symptoms that relate to each one. However, there are some general signs that may indicate that a personality disorder is present. These include:

  • Mistrust and suspicion of others
  • Poor impulse control
  • Social isolation
  • Substance or alcohol abuse
  • Mood swings that occur frequently
  • The need for instant gratification
  • Relationships that are stormy
  • Outbursts of anger
  • Having a problem making friends.

You or a loved one may have personality disorder. This disorder and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with it may be why you or your loved one is disabled and cannot work.

Have you or your loved one applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by personality disorder and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with it? Were you or your loved one denied?

If you appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration, consider this. People who are represented by a disability lawyer like the one at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than those without an attorney.

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Cori’s Disease and Receiving Social Security Disability

Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Glycogen, a branched polysaccharide
Image via Wikipedia

You or your child with disability may have Cori’s disease. This may be why you are unable to work. This may be the reason for the disability of you or your child with disability.

As a result, you may need help. You may need financial help.

You may have applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits for you or your child with disability from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by Cori’s disease. Were you or your child with disability denied?

You may plan on appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you do, think about this.

You or your child with disability will need the help of a skilled disability attorney like the one at socialsecurityhome.com in this process. This is true is because people who are represented by a smart disability lawyer are approved more often than those people who are without an attorney.

Here is a little information about Cori’s Disease.

Cori’s disease is a type of glycogen storage disease. This means that it is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder and inborn error of metabolism. It is characterized by a deficiency in glycogen debranching enzymes.

Cori’s disease is a genetically linked metabolic disorder that involves the enzymes regulating glycogen metabolism, like the other glycogen storage diseases. These enzymes affect the processing of glycogen breakdown or synthesis within your liver, ahaha muscles and other cell types.

Each step in the process involves a different enzyme. The process stops if any one of these enzymes is defective and does not complete its step. The type of glycogen storage disease is determined by which enzyme is defective.

Cori’s disease is a rare disease occurring in 1 out of every 100,000 live births. It involves a missing enzyme that causes abnormal amounts of glycogen to be deposited in your skeletal muscles, liver and heart. This can stunt growth and lead to an enlarged liver, acidosis and hypoglycemia.

Cori’s disease is named in honor of the 1947 Nobel laureates Carl Cori and Gerty Cori. It is also called Forbes disease in honor of a clinician who further described the features of this disorder. Other names are limit dextrinosis and glycogen storage disease type III.

The clinical course of the disease is similar to that of glycogen storage disease type I. It is generally, but not always, milder. Massive hepatomegaly, which is present in young children, diminishes and occasionally disappears with age. Levels of glycogen with short outer branches are elevated in your liver, muscle and erythrocytes.

There are several effects that are caused by Cori’s disease. Some of these are:

  • An enlarged fatty liver
  • Elevated levels of lactate, lipids and uric acid in your blood
  • Low blood sugar
  • Impairment in growth
  • Delaying of puberty
  • Bones weakened by osteoporosis.

It also causes an enlarged heart and muscles prone to wasting. Muscle wasting usually increases with age while other symptoms improve.

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At the 20-year mark, groups across the nation extol gains of ADA legislation–and look forward to more improvements

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Celebrations and commemorative  functions are being held this month in venues large and small in recognition of  landmark legislation that was enacted two decades ago: the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Although directly related to neither Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) nor Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the provisions of the ADA broke ground for the disabled not only in terms of concrete, physical access to public accommodation but also in more theoretical terms of access to beneficial programs.

For instance, relatively few plaintiffs filing suit under ADA are eligible for monetary damages. However, such suits can effect far-reaching change for the entire disabled community, which also includes many supporters and care-givers.

Certainly all Americans should be familiar with the basic principles of the act–especially owners and operators of publicly accessible facilities (and the contractors who service them)–yet, if you, family members, friends or other loved ones are coping with disability, you really should take extra time to learn about ADA, including the supplemental provisions enacted  in January of 2009.

Although we don’t usually recommend “wiki”-anything as source material, this Wikipedia post serves as a decent introduction.

Briefly, according to this July 20 piece at nj.com (which also includes details of  a July 26 celebration at the New Jersey State House Annex), “the ADA is a wide ranging civil rights act that prohibits the discrimination of persons with any type of disability, including visual and hearing impairments, and developmental or physical disabilities.

“Currently, the act mandates that local government and private enterprises provide people with disabilities fair opportunities for employment, accessibility to public and private buildings, and the ability to participate in programs and activities within the community. The Act also sets minimum standards for adaptive telecommunication devices for the hearing and speech impaired. The last and only amendment to the ADA was in 2008, which now more broadly encompasses impairments that may be episodic or in remission, such as epilepsy or post traumatic stress disorder.”

And to see how wide-ranging are the covered activities, simply click on the link for this government Web site,  created by the Justice Department specifically for the Americans with Disability Act. There you can easily judge how many agencies and programs might be affected–just look at the links to:

The nj.com post also mentions that, despite the advances effected by the legislation, “There are still some gaps and some goals from the original act that have not yet been met. The Family Support Center of New Jersey is drawing attention to this anniversary as a time of appreciation for how far we have come as a country and for reflection about what else we can do to assist those with disabilities in order to live fully inclusive lives.”

Hundreds of marchers convened on Capitol Hill earlier this week with the same message, according to a July 21 post at an ABC affiiliate’s site. “Hundreds marched to Capitol Hill Tuesday, marking the strides that have been made in 20 years.

” ‘Bathrooms are different, there’s curb cuts on every street, elevators in a lot of buildings that didn’t have’m before, lots of ramps,’ explained Kelly Buckland from the National Council on Independent Living.

“But, they say, their fight is not yet won.”

Among other concerns, the group cites such issues as employment for those who can work and “debt-ridden states that are cutting community services, [which forces] more disabled into nursing homes.”

The group also has a Web site set to “go live” July 26 at 1:45 p.m., “the exact time President George H. W. Bush signed the legislation.” A youtube preview can be seen here.

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Throat Cancer and Receiving Social Security Disability

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Cancer is much bigger than one disease. It is a large group of diseases. Cancer is characterized by cells that are invasive (they invade and destroy adjacent tissue), aggressive (they grow and divide without respect to normal limits) and sometimes metastatic (they spread to other parts of the body).

There are many different forms of cancer. They are usually named by where they begin in your body. For example, esophageal cancer begins in your esophagus. Breast cancer begins in your breast. Even though cancer may spread to other places in your body, it is still named for where it began.

Throat cancer is one of the kinds of cancer. It is cancer that develops in your pharynx (throat) or larynx (voice box).

Have you or your loved one applied for financial help from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by throat cancer and/or complications resulting from throat cancer. Have you or your loved one been denied?

If you or your loved one appeals the denial by the Social Security Administration, think carefully about this. People who have a disability lawyer standing with them like the one at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than people who are not represented by a disability attorney.

Your cells are the building blocks of your body. This is where cancer originates. If your body is working properly, old cells die at the right time and new cells replace them when you need them. However, sometimes old cells do not die like they ought to and new cells are produced when you do not need them.

A tumor (mass) can begin with these excess cells. These tumors can be either benign or malignant. They are not cancer if they are benign. They are cancer if they are malignant.

Somewhere around 24,000 people are diagnosed with throat cancer each year in the United States. About half of these are in the pharynx. The rest develop in the larynx. Throat cancer is also known by other names. It is also called laryngeal cancer, vocal cord cancer and cancer of the glottis.

Men get throat cancer 10 times as often as women. The majority of throat cancers occur after age 50.

There are several signs and symptoms that you may have with throat cancer. These include:

  • Dramatic, unintentional weight loss
  • Problem with swallowing
  • Abnormal (high-pitched) sounds while you are breathing
  • Lumps or swelling in your neck
  • Chronic cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chronic sore throat that does not improve with antibiotics
  • Pain in your neck
  • Chronic hoarseness that does not improve
  • Lump or sore that does not heal
  • Ear pain.

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Cervical Dystonia and Receiving Social Security Disability

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that is evidenced by sustained muscle contractions. These muscle contractions cause abnormal postures or twisting and repetitive movements.

There are several different forms of dystonia. These include focal, generalized, intermediate, segmental and acute dystonic reaction.

Dystonia is also divided into two large categories that depend on your age at the onset of the disorder. If dystonia begins during your youth, you may have a type of dystonia that is inherited. Your signs and symptoms may eventually affect all of your body.

The other category of dystonia is when it starts in older adults. This kind of dystonia usually affects only one of your body parts. Usually this is your hand, neck or face.

Cervical dystonia, which is also known as spasmodic torticollis, is one of the forms of dystonia. This disorder causes the muscles of your neck to contract involuntarily. This causes your head to twist to one side. Cervical dystonia is a painful condition that is also marked by your head tilting backward or forward uncontrollably.

Fortunately, cervical dystonia is rare. It can develop in anyone at any age. This includes infancy. However, cervical dystonia is most common in middle-aged women. In fact, it is almost twice as common in women as in men.

Doctors do not know why some people get cervical dystonia and others do not. Researchers think that this disorder may be from a defect in your brain’s capacity to process chemical messages. This is what allows your brain cells to communicate with one another.

One of the signs and symptoms caused by cervical dystonia is neck pain that can radiate to your shoulders. Other signs and symptoms include:

  • Exhaustion
  • Elevation of the shoulder that is affected
  • Severe headaches
  • Tremors in your hand or arm.

The muscle contractions that mark cervical dystonia may cause your head to twist in several different directions. This includes:

  • Your ear toward your shoulder
  • Your chin straight down
  • Your chin toward your shoulder
  • Your chin straight up.

You or a loved one may have been diagnosed with cervical dystonia. This disorder and/or complications resulting from it may why you or your loved one is disabled. It may be why you need financial assistance.

You or your loved one may be planning on applying for the financial help that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by cervical dystonia and/or complications resulting from this disorder. You or your loved one may have already applied and been turned down.

If you or your loved one decides to appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration, here is something to think about. People who have a disability lawyer like the one at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than people who are not represented by a disability attorney.

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Dysphagia and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Swallowing is an involved process. There are 50 pairs of muscles and several nerves involved in moving food from your mouth to your stomach. Swallowing takes place in three stages. First, your tongue moves the food around in your mouth so that you can chew it. Chewing is what gets food ready to swallow. Chewing also helps mix the food with saliva. Saliva is what moistens and softens your food so that swallowing is easier to do. It is during this first stage of swallowing that your tongue gathers the prepared food. This makes the food ready for swallowing.

The second stage of swallowing starts when your tongue pushes your food to the back of the mouth. This triggers a swallowing reflex that passes your food through the pharynx (the canal that connects your mouth with your esophagus). During this second stage of swallowing, your larynx (voice box) closes tightly and breathing stops to prevent food and liquid from entering your lungs.

The third stage of swallowing starts when food enters your esophagus. Your esophagus is the canal that carries food and liquid to your stomach.

Dysphagia is the medical term that is used for when you have difficulty swallowing. It can be a sign or symptom of different medical conditions, or dysphagia can refer to a condition in its own right.

The term is derived from the Greek dys, which means disordered or bad and phago, which means eat. Dysphagia is a sensation that suggests that there is difficulty in the passage of solids or liquids from your mouth to your stomach.

The signs and symptoms of dysphagia may come and go. They can be severe or mild, or they can get worse with the passage of time. Possible signs and symptoms include:

  • Choking, coughing or gagging when you swallow
  • Having pain when you swallow
  • Losing weight because you do not get enough liquid or food
  • Having difficulty getting liquids or food to go down on the first try
  • Having liquids or food come back up through your mouth, nose or throat after you swallow
  • Having pressure or pain in your chest
  • Having heartburn
  • Feeling like liquids or food is stuck somewhere in your chest or throat.

You or a loved one may have dysphagia. This disorder and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with it may be the reason why you are disabled and in need of financial help.

You or your loved one may have applied for the financial assistance that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by dysphagia and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with it. Were you or your loved one denied by the Social Security Administration?

If you or your loved one reapplies or appeals the denial, think carefully about this important fact. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find here are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer standing with them.

Please do not delay. Contact us today and we will put you in touch with a tough advocate who can help you get the benefits you deserve.

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Ataxia and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Monday, July 12th, 2010

The word “ataxia”, comes from a Greek word, “a taxis” that means incoordination or without order. Ataxia means a lack of coordination or without coordination.

Ataxia can refer to a sign or symptom of incoordination that is associated with injuries, infections, other diseases or degenerative changes in your central nervous system. Ataxia also refers to a group of specific degenerative diseases of your nervous system. These are called sporadic and hereditary ataxias.

The reason ataxia causes problems with your coordination is because if affects the parts of your nervous system that controls balance and movement. Ataxia can affect your hands, fingers, arms, body, legs, eye and speech movements.

When nerve cells in your cerebellum degenerate, are damaged or lost, you lose coordination or have less muscle control. Infection, injuries, diseases and degenerative changes in your central nervous system can cause this to happen, which results in some type of ataxia. Some of the things that can result in ataxia are:

  • Chickenpox
  • Paraneoplastic syndromes
  • Toxic reactions
  • Trauma to your head
  • Cerebral palsy (link to page, “Cerebral Palsy and Disability”)
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) (link to page, “Multiple Sclerosis and Disability”)
  • Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
  • Tumor
  • Stroke
  • Heredity or genetics.

The signs and symptoms that you experience will depend on the type of ataxia that you have and whether it is a form of the disease or a sign or symptom of an underlying condition. Poor coordination and balance are usually the first indications of ataxia. Other signs and symptoms that you may experience, depending on the type and reason for your ataxia are:

  • A tendency to stumble and an unsteady walk
  • Change or slurring of your speech
  • Problems with fine-motor skills like writing, buttoning a shirt or eating
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Slow eye movements
  • Loss of balance
  • Loss of muscle coordination in your leg, arm or hand
  • Walking with your feet further apart to compensate for problems with balance.

Onset of these signs and symptoms will vary due to the type of ataxia that you have. Often, they begin in childhood, but indications can begin in adulthood in your 20s or 30s. They can even begin in your 60s.

You or a loved one may some form of ataxia. This may be why you are disabled and unable to work.

Have you or your loved one applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by ataxia and/or complications resulting from or other conditions causing ataxia? Were you or your loved one denied?

If you or your loved one appeals the denial by the Social Security Administration, consider this. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find here are approved more often than people who do not have a lawyer.

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