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Archive for November, 2010

New report calls for incentives to retain disabled workers; June report explains SSDI, VDC differences and goals

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
By Mike Hinshaw
If you live in Connecticut, this may be of interest, from TheDay.com:

WHO: Linda, a 67-year-old grandmother of three, who became responsible for her daughter’s children after her daughter became too ill from HIV to care for them any longer.

AGENCY: Alliance for Living.

THEIR SITUATION: Linda had her daughter move back home to New London after she was diagnosed with HIV. Her daughter’s medications and health condition leave her with little energy, so like so many grandparents today, Linda is now raising her daughter’s children. The kids range in age from 8 to 15. They are living on their mother’s Social Security disability income supplemented by grandma’s Social Security. Their Christmas wish is for mom to be well again.

WHAT TO GIVE: Gift cards to grocery and department stores.

TO DONATE: Donations can be dropped off at the Alliance for Living, 154 Broad St., New London, 06320. For more information, call Cheryl at (860) 447-0884, ext. 229.

Joint report: Keep disabled workers, help SSDI system

According to a Nov. 27 article in The Washington Post, a joint report from the Brookings Institution’s Hamilton Project and the Center for American Progress has concluded that “The government should create incentives for employers to retain disabled workers on their payrolls as a way of slowing unsustainable increases in the number of people receiving Social Security disability benefits.”

According to this blog, the report will be released in a few days and will call for upfront action: “The report by the Brookings Institute’s Hamilton Project and the Center for American Progress, to be released on Dec. 3, urges adding a ‘front end’ of benefits to keep the disabled in their jobs and slow down the rapidly growing expense of the federal disability program, also known as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

“Before workers could receive SSDI benefits, they would have to be approved for benefits from the private policy — benefits that would go toward rehabilitation services, partial income support and other related services.”

Troubling figures, revisited

We have reported on the increase in SSDI applicants, particularly the spike from 2008 to 2009, when demand jumped 21 per cent. The Post cites the new report as providing more troubling figures: “Between 1989 and 2009, the share of working-age adults receiving SSDI has doubled to 4.6 percent, and the cost of the program has more than tripled from $40 billion to $121 billion in the same time period, the report said.

“Strikingly, the enrollment increases have not coincided with an increase in disabilities; roughly 10 percent of adults have reported disabilities in both 1989 and 2009. Instead, the enrollment increases reflect ‘a rising rate of dependency and a declining rate of labor force participation among adults with disabilities,’ the report stated.”

As soon as we can get a copy of the report, we’ll discuss it and provide links.

Congressional Research Service report: SSDI versus Veterans Disability Compensation

A Nov. 23 post at a site for what its “About” page says is a global publishing and subscription provider for “research, compliance and management tools for attorneys, consultants, corporations and government agencies,” has a nice primer on June 2010 report from the Congressional Research Service that “sought to clarify why one group of individuals with disabilities may be eligible for benefits under the Veterans Disability Compensation program (VDC), but ineligible for benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program under the Title II of the Social Security Act (SSDI).”

Here’s a link to the report itself: “Disability Benefits Available Under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veterans Disability Compensation (VDC) Programs.”

Two of ‘largest programs’ have important differences

According to the report summary, SSDI, administered by the Social Security Administration, and VDC, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, “are two of the largest federal disability programs, but strongly differ along several dimensions, including the populations served, how each program defines a ‘disability,’ as well as varying eligibility requirements.”

The report summarizes three crucial differences:

First, SSDI is an insurance program that replaces a portion of earnings for an eligible worker whose illness or injury—while not necessarily caused by a work-related incident—results in an inability to work. SSDI is one of several federal programs funded through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) payroll tax and the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) tax to which all workers and employers in covered occupations (including military personnel) and self-employed individuals make contributions. On the other hand, VDC is not insurance, but is a compensation program in that payments are made to veterans who develop medical conditions that are related to their service in the military. VDC is non-contributory and neither veterans nor active military personnel pay into the program, which is funded through a mandatory appropriation as part of the VA annual budget.

Second, while the purpose of both SSDI and VDC is to provide income security, SSDI provides a financial “safety-net” to eligible civilian and military workers due to their inability to work as a result of long-term or terminal injury or illness. Conversely, VDC provides veterans with tax-free, cash benefits specifically for service-connected illnesses or injuries. The ability to work is not factored into VDC disability determinations, although additional compensation is available for veterans who are unemployable as the result of a service-connected condition(s).

Third, SSDI only compensates workers that are fully disabled, whereas VDC compensates veterans for both partial and fully disabling injuries and illnesses. The VA is further guided by a principle that views disability compensation as an obligation, owed to veterans, for injuries impacting employment that were incurred or aggravated by their service to the country. SSDI benefits are granted solely on medical and economic grounds and other noneconomic factors are not considered. Eligibility requirements generally tend to be more stringent for SSDI than [for] VDC, and most veterans will not likely meet the criteria for both programs.

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Frontotemporal Dementia and Receiving Social Security Disability

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
A human brain showing frontotemporal lobar deg...
Image via Wikipedia

One of the most disheartening and distressing things that you could ever hear is for the doctor to tell you that your loved one has dementia. If this has happened to you, there are probably many questions that you have about this disorder.

Dementia is the progressive decline in cognitive function due to disease or damage in the brain that is greater than what might be expected from normal aging. Cognitive function refers to how a person comes to know and interpret things.

With dementia, the cognitive or knowing areas that can be affected include attention, language, memory and problem solving. Most frequently, in the later stages of dementia, people can be disoriented in time (not knowing what day of the week, month or year it is).  They may also become disoriented in place and person (not knowing where they are or who they are).

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an umbrella term that is used for a group of disorders that affect the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain. These are the areas of the brain that are generally associated with behavior, language and personality. Frontotemporal dementia is characterized by portions of the temporal and frontal lobes shrinking or atrophying.

There are other names that are used for frontotemporal dementia. It is also called Pick’s disease, corticobasal degeneration, frontal lobe dementia, primary progressive aphasia and semantic dementia.

Frontotemporal dementia often affects people at a younger age than other forms of dementia. It often occurs between 40 and 70 years of age.

There are several different signs and symptoms that you may notice in your loved one that may be indications of frontotemporal dementia. Some of these are:

  • Loss or impairment of linguistic and speech abilities
  • Apathy
  • Euphoria
  • Poor coordination
  • A decline in personal hygiene
  • Rigidity
  • Repetitive compulsive behavior
  • Muscle weakness
  • Increasingly inappropriate actions
  • Tremor
  • Lack of awareness of behavioral or thinking changes
  • Lack of inhibition and judgment
  • Muscle spasms
  • Difficulty swallowing.

You may have a loved one who has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. This disorder and/or complications resulting from it may be why your loved one is disabled.

You may need help for and with your loved one if this is the case. You may need financial assistance.

You may be planning on applying for financial help on behalf of your loved one from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by frontotemporal dementia and/or complications resulting from it. Have you already tried this option and your loved one was turned down by the Social Security Administration?

If you are thinking about appealing the denial of your loved one by the Social Security Administration, remember this important fact. People who are represented by a disability lawyer like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who do not have a disability attorney standing with them.

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Posted in Endocrine, Immune system, Mental Disorders, Neurological, Social Security Disability | No Comments »

Essential Tremor and Receiving Social Security Disability

Monday, November 29th, 2010

Essential tremor is a disorder of your nervous system. It is marked by uncontrolled rhythmic tremors (shaking) in different areas and on different sides of your body. Uncontrolled means that you are not trying to shake.

Essential tremor occurs most often in your hands. However, it may also affect your arms, chin, tongue, head, larynx or voice box (makes your voice sound shaky). Essential tremor does not usually affect your lower body, but it can.

Essential tremor can make it difficult to do some simple tasks. You may have trouble doing things like writing, drinking from a glass, shaving or tying your shoelaces.

Essential tremor is known by other names. It is also referred to as ET, benign essential tremor, hereditary tremor and familial tremor.

Essential tremor is a common disorder that affects around 10 million people in the United States. It affects 4 to 5% of people between the ages of 40 to 60. Essential tremor affects about 6.3 to 9% of people over the age of 60.

Even though essential tremor primarily affects elderly people, it can also affect middle-aged people and children. This disorder is not gender or race specific.

There are several signs and symptoms that may be an indication of essential tremor. Some of these are:

§  Shaking that is usually small, rapid movements that occur more than five times a second

§  A quivering or shaking voice

§  Difficulty doing simple things like writing, drawing or using tools

§  Nodding of your head.

The shaking (tremors) may:

§  Start gradually

§  Be aggrevated by fatigue, caffeine, temperature extremes or emotional stress

§  Occur and be more noticeable when you move and be less noticeable when you rest

§  Not affect both sides of your body in the same way

§  Come and go, but usually get worse as you get older.

Essential tremor is often confused with Parkinson’s disease. However, there are some key differences in the two conditions. These include:

§  Associated conditions – Essential tremor does not cause other health problems, but Parkinson’s does.

§  Parts of your body that are affected – Essential tremor affects more parts of your body than Parkinson’s.

§  When tremors happen – Essential tremor usually occurs when you use your hands, while Parkinson’s usually occurs when your hands are at rest.

You or a loved one may have essential tremor. This disorder and/or complications that have resulted from or other conditions that you may have along with it may be why you are disabled and in need of financial help.

You or your loved one may have 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 essential tremor and/or complications that have resulted from or other conditions that you have along with it. Have you or your loved one already applied and been denied?

If you or your loved one reapplies or appeals the denial, consider this. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer on their side.

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Marfan Syndrome and Receiving Social Security Disability

Friday, November 26th, 2010

Marfan syndrome is a genetic or inherited disorder that affects your connective tissue. Connective tissues are the fibers that provide the support and framework for your body.

As a result, Marfan syndrome can affect many of your body systems. These include your eyes, skeleton, heart and blood vessels. The damage can be mild or severe that is caused by Marfan syndrome. This disorder can cause life-threatening complications.

People who have Marfan syndrome are usually tall and thin. They have disproportionately long legs, toes, fingers and arms. Some experts think Abraham Lincoln may have had Marfan syndrome.

Marfan syndrome is named after a French pediatrician, Antoine Marfan. He first described the condition in 1896 after noticing striking features in a 5 year old girl.

Marfan syndrome affects men and women equally. This disorder happens in at least 1 in 5,000 people according to the National Institutes of Health. This means that anywhere from 60,000 to 200,000 people in the United States have Marfan syndrome.

The signs and symptoms of Marfan syndrome vary greatly, even among members of the same family. The reason for this is because this disorder can affect so many of the systems of your body. Some people have life-threatening complications, while others experience only mild effects.

Marfan syndrome usually worsens with age. With this disorder it is more features to look for rather than signs and symptoms. Some of these effects are:

§  Crowded teeth and a high, arched palate

§  A curved spine

§  A breastbone that dips inward or protrudes outward

§  Flat feet

§  Tall and slender build

§  Disproportionately long arms, fingers, legs and toes

§  Extreme nearsightedness

§  Heart murmurs.

You or a loved one may have Marfan syndrome. This may be the reason why you are disabled and unable to work.

You or your loved one may need help if this is true. You may need financial help because of the disability caused by Marfan syndrome.

Where will you get the financial assistance that you or your loved one needs? Who can help you? Who will help you?

You or you loved one may have applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by Marfan syndrome. Were you or your loved one denied?

You or your loved one may be thinking about appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If this is what you decide to do, here is something important for you to remember.

You or your loved one may need the representation of a disability attorney like the one you will find at here in what can prove to be a long and trying procedure. This is true because people who are represented by a determined disability lawyer are approved more often than those without an attorney.

Do not wait. This is something of great importance to you or your loved one. Contact the disability lawyer at Social Security Home, today.

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Cardiac Arrhythmia and Receiving Social Security Disability

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
Rhythm Generated
Image via Wikipedia

Cardiac arrhythmia is a medical term that refers to any of a group of conditions in which the electrical activity of your heart is irregular. This electrical activity may be slower or faster than normal.

Some arrhythmias are minor. They can take place in a normal, healthy heart. They can be regarded as normal. Other cardiac arrhythmias are serious, life- threatening medical emergencies that can cause cardiac arrest and sudden death.

There are several different kinds of cardiac arrhythmia. Some of these arrhythmias include:

§  Tachycardia is a cardiac arrhythmia where your resting heart rate is faster than 100 beats a minute.

§  Bradycardia is a cardiac arrhythmia where your resting heart rate is slower than 60 beats a minute.

§  Fibrillation is a serious form of cardiac arrhythmia. The muscle cells of your heart normally function together creating a single contraction when they are stimulated.  Fibrillation is when your heart muscle begins a quivering motion caused by a disunity in contractile cell function.

There are other kinds of common cardiac arrhythmia. These include atrial, ventricular, atrial ventricular, functional arrhythmias, heart blocks and trigeminal rhythm (trigeminy).

One of the dangers of cardiac arrhythmia is that it can be silent and cause you no ill effects at all. When you are affected by cardiac arrhythmia, you may experience:

§  Dizziness or feeling light-headed

§  Chest discomfort

§  Shortness of breath

§  Weakness or fatigue

§  Pounding in the chest

§  Palpitations

§  Fainting.

The effects caused by cardiac arrhythmia like shortness of breath, pounding in your chest and dizziness or fainting may be serious enough to keep you or a loved one from being able to work. Cardiac arrhythmia may be the reason for you or your loved one’s disability.

You or your loved one may be looking for help if this is the case. You may be searching for financial help.

Where will that financial assistance come from? Who can you turn to? Who can and will help you?

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 cardiac arrhythmia? Were you or your loved one denied by the Social Security Administration?

You or your loved one may be planning on appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If this is what you decide to do, here is something critical that you should know.

You may need an experienced disability attorney like the one you will find here to help and represent you in what can be a long and trying process. The reason that this is true is because people who have an established disability lawyer in their corner are approved more often than those people who are not represented by an attorney.

Do not hesitate. Do not wait. This may affect you or your loved one for the rest of your life. Contact the confident disability lawyer at Social Security Home, today.

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Receiving Social Security Disability

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
NEW YORK - JULY 04: First base, dedicated to t...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease. Lou Gehrig was a Hall of Fame baseball player for the New York Yankees, who died of this disease in 1941.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rapidly progressive, fatal neurological disease that attacks the neurons (nerve cells) that control voluntary muscles. The disease belongs to a group of illnesses known as motor neuron diseases. These diseases are evidenced by the gradual degeneration and death of motor neurons.

Motor neurons are nerve cells that are located in your brain, brainstem and spinal cord. They act as vital communication links and controlling units between the voluntary muscles of your body and your nervous system. Messages from motor neurons in your brain are transmitted to motor neurons in your spinal cord. From there the messages are sent to particular muscles.

With amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the motor neurons in your brain and spinal cord degenerate or die. They stop sending messages to your muscles. No longer able to function, your muscles gradually weaken, waste away and twitch. In time, the ability of your brain to start and control voluntary movement is lost.

Somewhere around 20,000 people in the United States have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Around 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS each year in America. Men have this disease more often than women. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis usually happens between the ages of 40 and 60, but those older and younger can get the disease.

The first affects of ALS on you are subtle. Some of these are:

§  Cramping, stiffness or twitching of your muscles

§  Nasal or slurred speech

§  Muscle weakness affecting an arm or a leg

§  Difficulty swallowing or chewing.

The parts of your body that are affected by early signs and symptoms depend on which muscles in your body are damaged first. The first symptoms you may notice involve your leg, hand or arm, or speech problems. Regardless of what part of your body is affected first, muscle weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of your body as the disease progresses.

Eventually, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis paralyzes the muscles that are needed to breathe. Most people die from respiratory failure. This usually happens within three to five years after the signs and symptoms begin. However, around 10% of people with ALS live for 10 years or more.

Has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis reached a point where you are unable to work? Is ALS the cause of your disability?

Have you applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration and been denied? If you appeal the denial, keep this in mind.

You will need a proven disability lawyer like the one at Social Security Home to represent you in this process. This is true because people who have a trusted disability attorney are approved more often than those people who do not have a lawyer.

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Essential Thrombocythemia and Receiving Social Security Disability

Monday, November 22nd, 2010
Essential thrombocythemia (1)
Image via Wikipedia

Essential thrombocythemia is a disease in which your body makes too many thrombocytes (blood platelets). Essential thrombocythemia is one of a group of disorders of your bone marrow and blood that are referred to as myeloproliferative neoplasms. These are disorders in which excess cells are produced.

Blood platelets are needed for your blood to clot. Essential thrombocythemia is characterized by blood clots (thrombus) that can form anywhere in your body. The most common places where blood clots develop are your feet, hands and brain.

Essential thrombocythemia, which is also known as primary thrombocythemia, is diagnosed in about 2 or 3 out of every 100,000 people each year in the United States. This disease usually affects middle aged to elderly people, although it can affect children and young adults as well. The average age of diagnosis is between 50 and 60 years of age.

The exact cause of essential thrombocythemia is not known. About 50% of the people who have this disease have a mutation of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene. Other gene defects have also been associated with essential thrombocythemia. When this disease results from an underlying condition, it is referred to as reactive or secondary thrombocytosis. There is a rare form of this disease that is inherited.

You may not have any signs or symptoms with essential thrombocythemia. Signs and symptoms that you may have include:

  • Chest pain
  • Mildly enlarged spleen
  • Temporary vision changes
  • Headache
  • Tingling or numbness in your feet and hands
  • Erythromelalgia (redness, burning and throbbing pain in your feet and hands
  • Fainting
  • Weakness
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Ulcers on your toes or fingers
  • Bloody stools
  • Bleeding from your respiratory system, skin, urinary tract or gastrointestinal tract
  • Prolonged bleeding from a tooth extraction or surgical procedures
  • Bleeding from your gums
  • Bruising easily
  • Epistaxis (nosebleeds)
  • Enlarged lymph nodes.

You or a loved one may have essential thrombocythemia. Essential thrombocythemia and/or complications that have resulted from or other conditions that you may have along with this disease may have caused you or your loved one’s disability. It may be preventing you or your loved one from working

You may need help if this is where you are at. You may need financial assistance.

You or your loved one may be intending to apply 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 essential thrombocythemia and/or complications that have resulted from or other conditions that you may have along with this disease. You or your loved one may have already tried this option and been denied by the Social Security Administration.

If you or your loved one is planning on reapplying or appealing the denial, remember this important fact. The simple truth is that people who have a disability lawyer fighting for them like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who are not represented by a disability attorney.

Please do not wait or put this off until tomorrow. Contact the disability lawyer at Social Security Home, today.

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Dyshidrosis and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Friday, November 19th, 2010
Author: Myself. This is a photograph taken of ...
Image via Wikipedia

The word “eczema” comes from two Greek words that mean “to boil out”. It may have looked like the skin was boiling to ancient Greek medical practitioners.

The way the word is used today can be confusing. It is commonly used as a synonym for dermatitis or, more specifically, atopic dermatitis. Actually, eczema is a type of dermatitis, which is a blanket term that covers a wide range of skin disorders. In turn, atopic dermatitis is really a form of eczema. In fact, it is the most common form of eczema.

Eczema refers to a family of skin diseases that cause your skin to be itchy, swollen and irritated. Your skin may also become red and occasionally develop small, fluid-filled bumps called vesicles. Fluid leaks out when these bumps break. This results in oozing and weeping.

Dyshidrosis is a form of eczema. It is a chronic (ongoing) skin condition that is marked by small, fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that come on the soles of your feet and/or the palms of your hands.

Dyshidrosis causes intense itching. When the blisters get dry, fissures (grooves) and cracks develop that can be quite painful.

Dyshidrosis gets its name from the word “dyshidrotic” which means “bad sweating” that was thought to be the cause of the condition. Dyshidrosis is also referred to as dyshidrotic eczema and pompholyx. Pompholyx means “bubble” in the Greek, which refers to the blisters on the skin.

The cause of dyshidrosis is not known at the present time. Often times, it is associated with other skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and allergic ailments like asthma and hay fever. Dyshidrosis may be seasonal as it seems to appear at certain times of the year.

There are several signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of dyshidrosis. These include:

  • Inflammation (dermatitis) of the affected skin
  • Grooves (fissures) or cracks on your toes and/or fingers
  • Small, itchy bumps that gradually develop to a rash that is made up of fluid-filled blisters (vesicles)
  • Pain that is especially significant with large blisters
  • Intense itching.

You or a loved one may have dyshidrosis. This ailment and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with it may be causing your disability and keeping you or your loved one from working.

You or your loved one may need help if this is your situation. You may need financial assistance.

You or your loved one may have decided to apply 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 dyshidrosis and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with it. Have you already applied and been denied by the Social Security Administration?

If you or your loved one intends to reapply or appeal the denial, consider this. People who have a disability lawyer on their side like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who are not represented by a disability attorney.

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Encephalopathy and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Your brain is the center of your nervous system. Your brain monitors and regulates your body’s actions and reactions.

Encephalopathy is a term that means brain damage, malfunction or disease. It is used in reference to any disease that alters your brain structure or function. Encephalopathy is marked by an altered mental state that can also involve physical manifestations like poor coordination of the movements of your limb.

Encephalopathy is a very broad term that is often preceded by different terms that describe the special conditions, cause or reason for the malfunction of your brain. In fact, there are over 150 terms that precede or modify encephalopathy in the field of medicine.

Some types of encephalopathy are acute (short term). Other forms of encephalopathy are chronic (long lasting).

Due to the broad nature of encephalopathy there is no statistical information on it as such. Encephalopathy can develop at any age to anyone of any race or gender.

There are several different things that may cause encephalopathy. These include:

§  A lack of blood flow or oxygen to your brain

§  Mitochondrial or metabolic dysfunction

§  Chronic progressive trauma

§  A brain tumor

§  Poor nutrition

§  Increased pressure in your skull

§  Exposure to toxic elements like drugs, paints, solvents, industrial chemicals, certain metals and radiation

§  An infectious agent, such as virus, bacteria or prion (protein).

The signs and symptoms of encephalopathy depend on its severity and type. Some of the indications are:

§  Subtle personality changes

§  Lethargy

§  Loss of the ability to speak or swallow

§  Progressive loss of cognitive ability

§  Inability to concentrate

§  Progressive loss of consciousness

§  Muscle weakness and atrophy

§  Progressive loss of memory

§  Seizures

§  Dementia

§  Involuntary twitching of a muscle or group of muscles (myoclonus)

§  Rapid, involuntary eye movement (nystagmus)

§  Tremor.

You or a loved one may have or have had encephalopathy. This disorder and/or complications that have resulted from or the underlying condition that caused it may be the reason why you or your loved one is disabled.

If this is your situation, you may need assistance. You may need financial help.

You or your loved one may be intending to apply 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 encephalopathy and/or complications that have resulted from or the underlying condition that caused it. You or your loved one may have already taken this step and been denied by the Social Security Administration.

If you or your loved one has decided to reapply or appeal the denial, here is an important fact that you need to remember. The fact is that people who have a disability lawyer in their corner like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who are not represented by a disability attorney.

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Ehrlichosis and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
The tick Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick)
Image via Wikipedia

Ehrlichosis is the general name that is used to describe several bacterial diseases. Ehrlichosis is an infection that kills white blood cells in your body.

Ehrlichosis is a bacterial illness that is transmitted by ticks. It occurs most frequently in the spring and summer. This is when ticks are active, and you are most often likely to be outdoors.

Fortunately, ehrlichosis is rare. The annual average reported incidence in the United States is about 0.7 cases per million population. However, ehrlichosis is not a reportable disease; so, many cases go unreported.

Ehrlichosis occurs most often in the states of Texas and California and the northeast and southeast regions of the United States. Some cases occur in the north central states that are west of the Great Lakes.

The signs and symptoms caused by ehrlichosis are flu-like in nature. They usually occur within 5 to 14 days after you are bitten by an infected tick and fed on by the tick for 24 hours or longer. Some of these signs and symptoms are:

§  Cough

§  Flat red rash (maculopapular rash)

§  Petechial rash (fine pinhead-sized areas of bleeding in your skin)

§  Nausea

§  Joint pain

§  Mild fever

§  Confusion

§  Vomiting

§  Headache

§  Diarrhea

§  Muscles aches

§  Chills

§  Malaise (general sick feeling).

The signs and symptoms in some people are so mild that their body is able to fight off the infection without having to see a doctor. However, in other cases, if left untreated, ehrlichosis can be serious enough so that you have to be hospitalized.

Most of the time, the Lone Star tick is the one who transmits this disease. However, it is possible for ehrlichosis to be transmitted in other ways. These are:

§  From mother to unborn child

§  Contact with an infected, slaughtered animal

§  Through blood transfusions.

You or a loved one may have had ehrlichosis. While ehrlichosis would not normally qualify you to receive Social Security disability benefits, you or your loved one may have had complications that resulted from this disease and/or other disabling conditions along with it that have caused you to be disabled.

You may need help if this is your situation. You may need financial assistance.

You or your loved one may be planning on applying 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 complications that resulted from ehrlichosis and/or other disabling conditions along with this disease. Have you or your loved one already applied and been denied by the Social Security Administration?

If you or your loved one is thinking about reapplying or appealing the denial, here is an important fact that you need to think about. People who have a disability lawyer working for them like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than people who are not represented by a disability attorney.

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