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Multiple Sclerosis and Social Security Disability

Dirk May Help, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

Multiple Sclerosis is a devastating disease.

It certainly may be the basis of a disability finding in a Social Security case.

The key is the severity of your condition.

For instance, someone with a mild case of multiple sclerosis may be able to continue to work full time.

However, if your multiple sclerosis worsens and limits important activities then you may be found disabled.

Symptoms may include cognitive impairment, tremors, fatigue, pain, vision problems, and numbness and weakness.

The combination of symptoms is important because they affect major job requirements.

Cognitive impairments may knock you out of skilled level work, or prevent you from being able to concentrate and focus enough to perform even simple work.

Uncontrolled tremors may prevent you from being able to walk or stand for extended periods and interfere with reaching, handling and fingering.

Numbness and weakness also limits lifting, standing, and walking.

Vision problems may prohibit you from doing certain close work involving computers or small parts.

Fatigue and pain may cause you to miss an excessive number of work days.

To persuade Social Security that you are disabled you will need to see a neurologist and have appropriate testing.

In addition, make sure you explain your symptoms and limitations and any side-effects from your medications in detail to your doctor.

Questions about your Social Security case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

When Should I Get a Lawyer for My Disability Case?

Dirk May Help, Social Security Disability

You can get a lawyer at any stage of your Social Security Disability case.

For instance, you can wait until you are denied and need to appeal, or you can wait until you have a hearing scheduled, or you can hire a lawyer before you apply.

I like to work with a client from the beginning of the case.

As the lawyer, I think it helps to sit down with the client and go through the disability application online and file it together.

Some of the application questions are tricky and you may not understand why Social Security is asking the questions in certain way.

Knowing your educational background, work history and health condition helps in developing your case from the beginning.

It also helps to work as a team with your lawyer to answer the questions Social Security mails to you during the review of your application.

Social Security will also send you to see to their doctors for purposes of your case. You need to know what these doctors are looking for when they examine you.

You should also be prepared well in advance for the hearing, the questions the judge will ask, and why the vocational expert is testifying.

The best part of having a lawyer from the start is that there is no upfront hourly fee or retainer charged.

A lawyer can only charge a fee if you win your case. And it is capped at a percentage of the back benefits according to federal law.

Questions about your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Concussions and Workers’ Compensation

Dirk May Help, Law, Workers Compensation

Traumatic falls or being struck on the head with equipment or large objects can cause concussions.

Some concussions have long term effects such as headaches, dizziness, memory problems or depression.

The most important thing to do when you experience a concussion is to seek medical treatment immediately.

You need to explain to the doctor what happened to cause the injury and your symptoms.

If you delay treatment the work comp insurance company will argue you that your injury is not serious.

You will probably be referred to a neurologist to perform tests and prescribe medications for you.

The neurologist you most likely order an MRI and possibly an EEG to examine your brain for signs of damage.

Neuropsychological testing may be ordered to measure diminishment of cognitive functions.

The medications prescribed will attempt to control headaches, depression, balance issues, or memory lapses.

If you cannot work then you are entitled to off work benefits.

You are also entitled to payment for your medical treatment.

If a trial is necessary to close out your case, it may help to have family or friends testify to problems they have observed with memory and daily activities.

You should contact an experienced Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney to help you with cases like these. Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371 to discuss your case.

Social Security Disability and Dementia

Dirk May Help, Medical, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

There are some diseases we do not want to think about.

This includes dementia and Alzheimer’s.

As horrible as it is to contemplate a loved one or friend with these conditions, there are some programs available to assist in these circumstances.

One of the available programs is Social Security Disability.

To be eligible you must have worked enough quarters in 5 of the last 10 years to be financially eligible.

You must also prove that you cannot work your former job or any other job.

If you are still working and earning more that $1,000 a month gross, then you are not eligible.

If you can no longer work or can only do simple part time work then you are entitled to benefits.

To prove that you have dementia or Alzheimer’s you will need your doctor’s records showing your diagnosis.

It also helps to have MRI’s or EEG’s.

You may also have neuropsychological testing that shows diminishment of cognitive functions.

It also helps to have family or friends testify to problems they have observed with memory and daily activities.

You may be able to get a letter from an employer describing problems on the job.

You must apply for Social Security Disability benefits in order to receive them.

The application involves background information, medical information and work history. The way you answer the application questions is important to your case.

You should contact an experienced Social Security Disability attorney to help you with your application. Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371 to discuss your case.

Back Problems and Social Security Disability

Dirk May Help, Social Security Disability, Your questions

Back injuries, illnesses, and conditions are a leading reason that people are found eligible for Social Security Disability.

Diseases such as arthritis, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, and spinal arachnoiditis may attack the spine and cause severe pain and interfere with walking.

Of course, disc herniations, spinal canal narrowing, and traumatic injuries to the back may result in the need for disc surgeries, implants or fusions.

It is important that you be able to show objective evidence of these conditions through MRIs, CAT scan, Xrays, operative reports or other diagnostic tests.

Many Judges give a claimant seeking disability payments the benefit of the doubt if they have had several back surgeries with poor results.

Ongoing pain treatment is also a sign that you are having chronic problems.

This may include seeing a pain management doctor, taking strong pain medications, wearing a pain stimulator, or having nerves burned.

Prescriptions for a brace, cane or walker also show that you are having mobility problems.

You will also need to testify to consistent problems with pain and side effects from medications interfering with concentration and staying on task.

If you are under 50 years of age and can perform any job, then you are not disabled according to Social Security Disability rules. This means that you must convince the Judge that your back pain interferes with your walking, movement, posture and concentration to the extent that you will not be able to meet attendance or productivity standards.

If you are over 50 years of age and are limited to a sit down job, then you will often have a good chance of winning disability. For people who have performed a sit down job in the past 15 years you must still prove that you cannot do your past work.

Questions about your disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.