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Cluster Headaches and SSA Disability

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Cluster headaches are headaches which occur periodically and in patterns, lasting days or weeks and then stopping, sometimes for weeks, months or years. Claimants with cluster headaches will have periods of time where work is quite possible and then extended periods of time where work may be impossible.

Symptoms for Cluster Headaches

Positron emission tomography functional imagin...

Positron emission tomography functional imaging shows activation of specific brain areas during a cluster headache. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Common symptoms for cluster headaches can include:

  • Pain located around the eye but which can radiate to other parts of the neck and shoulders
  • Pale skin
  • Swelling in the face
  • Drooping eyelid
  • Reduced pupil size

Cluster headaches may occur any time but generally respond to common medical treatments. Some claimants confuse cluster headaches with migraines, but migraines generally are accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite, exacerbated by loud noises, music or bright lights and the pain is located on one side of the claimant’s head.

The pain of the cluster headache is also generally not alleviated by lying down in a dark room; in fact, many claimants will find that walking or pacing may help. The condition is often described as an intense feeling or stabbing in the eye.

Claimants with cluster headaches should seek medical care to rule out brain tumors, meningitis, stroke, encephalitis and aneurysms. Claimants with severe nausea, seizures, stiff muscles or mental disorientation should see a doctor immediately.

Causes of Cluster Headaches

Medical doctors are unsure of the cause of cluster headaches, although given the regularity of the attacks many doctors believe that the hypothalamus may be involved. Other irritants include alcohol, which can increase the chances of an attack, and other types of medications.

Men suffer from this condition more often than women, and the condition generally develops in claimants who are in their late 20s. Heredity also seems to play a role.

Winning SSDI or SSI for Cluster Headaches

The Social Security Administration has two methods of determining whether a claimant is disabled. Claimants can be disabled by having a severe health condition which is listed on the SSA Listing of Impairments or their condition can be so severe they can prove through a medical vocational allowance that they cannot work.

Unfortunately, there is not a listing for cluster headaches in the Social Security Administration’s Listing of Impairments. Claimants may be able to “meet a listing” however, by proving their condition is as severe as a condition on the list.

Meeting a Listing on the SSA Listing of Impairments for Cluster Headaches

To prove your cluster headaches are as severe as a listing you will have to have great medical documentation from your treating doctors. This should include headache specialists, a neurologists or a pain management doctor.

Your medical records should clearly state the frequency, intensity and duration of your headaches and why they interfere with your ability to perform not only daily activities but also work activities.

One of the main hurdles to winning SSDI or SSI benefits will be proving that your condition will last 12 continuous months. Most claimants with cluster headaches will suffer for weeks or months but not for a full year.

Claimants with chronic headaches are almost always denied disability benefits because it is so difficult for them to prove that their condition will last long enough to be considered permanently disabled. Talk to a disability lawyer for more information.

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SSA disability applications soar as unemployment declines

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

As the unemployment continues to remain relatively unchanged in the last few months what has changed is the increase of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security (SSI) Applicants. Many laborers who have a disabling health condition and who have been unable to find suitable employment have simply stopped looking for work and have left the labor force by the thousands.

According to the data provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), in the month of April, when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the labor forced declined by 342,000 workers, more than 225,000 workers applied for Social Security disability benefits. The SSA also stated that another 90,000 disability applicants were enrolled in the disability program.

What does this mean? This means that while it appears the unemployment rate is shrinking it is more likely that the decline in the unemployment rate is due to the decrease in the actual labor force participation rates. For instance, this April, although the population is growing, the labor force rate is at to 63.6%. In a recent article published in Investor Today it is noted that that rate is the lowest it has been since 1981.

Although the government is touting a declining unemployment rate it is clear that the real unemployment rate, if we were to include those who simply stop looking for work, would be much higher. What if the number of workers who were looking for work in June of 2009 continued to search? According to the data the unemployment rate would be at approximately 11%.

As mentioned above, many of the exiting workers simply stopped looking for work and applied for SSI or SSDI benefits. This could pose a real problem for the Federal Government as these workers and many of their dependants qualify for benefits. According to the SSA, so far this year a whopping 539,000 dependents and spouses have also begun to get benefits.

Will this trend reverse? Not likely and what is even more concerning is the general tendency of workers who receive disability to fail to return to the workforce. This is not surprising given that many claimant’s conditions frequently get worse as they age and their ability to retrain or compete for work with healthier younger work applicants is unlikely.

But what about claimants who would like to return work? The SSA does offer work programs such as the Trial Work program to allow claimants to return to work for a short period of time and continue to receive payments while they “test the waters,” but the threat of losing health insurance and a guaranteed monthly cash payment is often not enough to lure the claimant back to work, especially if the outcome is uncertain.

The economic downturn has been difficult for many families and since President Obama has taken office an estimated five million workers and their families have begun receiving SSI or SSDI benefits.

What does the Obama Administration say about the workers who have abandoned the workforce in droves? The Obama administration’s economic advisers this is a “loss to society” especially considering the huge economic contribution many of these workers could have made to the economy if they had been able to find employment.

The general consensus is if you can work it is imperative that you keep trying to work. SSDI and SSI are only for claimants who have a VERY severe health condition which does not allow them to perform any type of work.

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SSDI Disability Benefits for Kienbocks Disease

Monday, May 7th, 2012

Kienbock’s disease or avascular necrosis of the lunate (one of eight small carpal bones in the wrist), results when the bones in the wrist lose blood and begin to die, causing stiffness and the inability for the individual to properly move their wrist. This condition most commonly affects only one arm and is found most frequently in men ages 20 to 40.

Ligaments of wrist. Posterior and anterior views

Ligaments of wrist. Posterior and anterior views (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The cause of this condition is unknown, although doctors and scientist suspect that it is associated with other diseases such as cerebral palsy, anemia or lupus. It can also result from problems with blood drainage, blood supply, trauma or skeletal issues.

Unfortunately, the wrist is needed to allow the hand to move in many directions and is considered one of the most complicated joints in the body. Loss of mobility in the wrist can eliminate motion in the hand which lower hand strength and gripping. Claimants with this condition may find they are unable to continue to perform a variety of jobs.

Symptoms of Kienbock’s Disease

Claimants with Kienbock’s disease may experience pain in their wrist, limited motion, swelling, and the inability to grip objects. Some claimant’s pain is intermittent while others is constant and severe.

This condition can be identified through an X-ray and MRI, although an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is the most effective. Through one of these tests the doctors are generally able to accurately diagnose this condition.

Treatment for this condition varies depending on the stage of the disease. At the earliest stages doctors generally prescribe nonsurgical treatments. In the later stages doctors can perform one of the following – 1)revascularization 2) intercarpal fusion; 3) lunate excision; 4) lunate decompression and joint-leveling procedures; 5) proximal row carpectomy; and 6) wrist fusion.

Winning SSI or SSDI through Kienbock’s Disease

The SSA has two methods of determining whether a claimant can win SSI and SSDI  for a mental or physical health condition: meets a listing outlined in the SSA Listing of Impairment (also known as the Blue Book this is a list of all the conditions the SSA finds automatically disabling) or through a medical vocational allowance (which allows the claimant to prove they do not have the residual ability to work).

Meeting a Listing for Kienbock’s disease and winning SSI or SSDI

Kienbock’s disease could be evaluated under 1.00 Musculoskeletal System, 1.02 Major dysfunction of a joint(s) (due to any cause). Under this listing the SSA expects that the disorder is “characterized by gross anatomical deformity (e.g., subluxation, contracture, bony or fibrous ankylosis, instability) and chronic joint pain and stiffness with signs of limitation of motion or other abnormal motion of the affected joint(s), and findings on appropriate medically acceptable imaging of joint space narrowing, bony destruction, or ankylosis of the affected joint(s).”

Additionally, the condition must involve one major peripheral joint in each upper extremity (i.e., shoulder, elbow, or wrist-hand), resulting in inability to perform fine and gross movements.

What does the SSA mean by the inability to perform gross and fine motor movements? They will evaluate if the claimant’s ability to complete activities such as “reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, and fingering to be able to carry out activities of daily living.”

They will evaluate whether a claimant can prepare meals for themselves, feed themselves, take care of their personal hygiene needs, sort papers, handle papers and reach to place them in a file cabinet which is above their waist level.

Winning SSDI or SSI benefits through a medical vocational allowance

Claimants who do not meet the listing outlined above will have to prove through a medical vocation allowance that given their age, education, work history and medical condition that they cannot work their current job, past job or retrain for new work. The older the claimant the easier this will be to do. Many claimants seek legal assistance from a disability lawyer to help them win SSI or SSDI if their condition does not meet or equal a listing.

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Edema and SSA Disability Benefits

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

Edema is the swelling and accumulation of fluid in the tissue of the body. Claimants most commonly will have this condition in the extremities of their body including their hands, legs or feet. Fluid can be retained in various compartments of the body, for instance, accumulation of fluid in the lungs is called pulmonary edema and anasarca is the widespread accumulation of fluid in the all of the tissues and cavities of the body.

Pitting edema of the lower leg in a patient wi...

Pitting edema of the lower leg in a patient with end stage hepatic failure. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Causes of Edema

Although a small accumulation of fluid can be normal after a trauma, many claimants have other medical conditions which cause severe edema including:

General symptoms of Edema

Edema is caused by a variety of different medical conditions and depending on the claimant’s condition they could experience a variety of symptoms including:

  • Puffiness of the tissue under the skin
  • Shiny skin
  • Stretched skin
  • Skin which dimples after pressure is applied
  • Increase abdominal size

More severe symptoms which can indicate other serious disorders include severe chest pain, and difficulty breathing.

Winning SSDI or SSI for Edema

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has two methods for determining whether a claimant’s condition is severe enough to be considered disabling. First, the SSA will evaluate whether or not the claimant’s condition is listed on their SSA Listing of Impairments. This listing is also called the Blue Book, and it outlines the conditions and symptoms the SSA considers automatically disabling.

Next, if the claimant’s condition does not “meet or equal” a listing than the SSA will use what they call a medical vocational allowance to determine if the claimant has the residual capacity to work.

Meeting a Listing on the Social Security Administration’s Listing of Impairments

As mentioned above, many claimants who have severe edema also have a severe underlying health condition which is causing the edema. The SSA would consider the claimant’s condition rather than the edema when evaluating whether or not they can win SSI or SSDI by meeting a listing.

For instance, claimants with severe renal dysfunction will have their condition evaluated under the SSA listing 6.00 Genitourinary impairments, section 6.02 Impairment of Renal function. Under this listing edema is a symptom that is generally present. If the claimant has severe cerebral edema from a head trauma this condition would be evaluated under 11.00 Neurological, section 11.18 Cerebral trauma.

Winning benefits for edema through a medical vocational allowance

Is it possible to win SSI or SSDI for edema if your condition does not meet or equal a listing? Potentially, but is will be tough. Claimants would have to prove that their edema is so severe they cannot perform what the SSA calls substantial gainful activity.

Proving this will require SSI and SSDI claimants to have medical evidence that they are unable to perform basic work activities: stand or walk for extended time periods, sit for more than one hour, reach, pull, lift, push, grasp objects or reach overhead. Claimants who are young (less than 55 years of age), who have a high education and who have performed sedentary work will have difficulty proving that they are unable to work any type of job with edema alone.

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Uterine Cancer and SSA Disability

Saturday, May 5th, 2012

Uterine cancer or endometrial cancer, as is commonly called, develops when the cells in the lining of the uterus, which is the most important reproductive organ for a woman, grow abnormally and multiply. Although uterine cancer is most common after menopause in women who are over the age of 45, claimants of any age can develop this condition, especially if the claimant is taking estrogen hormone treatment or is overweight.

Uterus and uterine tubes.

Uterus and uterine tubes. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The cause of uterine cancer is unknown, although there are severe increased risk factors: age, obesity, diabetes, hormone replacement therapy, high blood pressure, family history, early menstruation, irregular cycles, Polycystic ovary syndrome and infertility.

Common Symptoms of Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer generally develops in the lining of the uterus called the endometrium. Common symptoms of this condition can include:

  • Pelvic pain
  • Painful intercourse
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Unusual discharge
  • Unusual bleeding
  • Heavy bleeding for more than seven days

Winning SSI or SSDI for Uterine Cancer

The first step to winning SSI or SSDI is getting a good diagnosis. The SSA will expect claimants to be under the care of a treating doctor. Doctors can diagnose this condition with an endometrial biopsy.  Additional testing may also be done including a dilatation and curettage, transvaginal ultrasound, sonohysterography and hysteroscopy.

After the claimant has their diagnosis and the SSA pulls their medical records, assuming they meet the nonmedical criteria of either SSI or SSDI, the SSA has two methods they use to determine if a claimant is disabled.

1)    Meeting a Listing on the SSA Listing of Impairments

2)    Winning SSI or SSDI through a medical vocational allowance

Meeting a Listing on the SSA Listing of Impairments for Uterine Cancer

The SSA does have a listing for uterine cancer. They evaluate uterine cancer under 13.00 Malignant Neoplastic  Diseases, Section 13.23 Cancers of the female genital tract. According to the SSA, under this section they are specifically evaluating “the origin of the malignancy, the extent of involvement, the duration, the frequency, the response to antineoplastic therapy (surgery, irradiation, chemotherapy, hormones, immunotherapy, or bone marrow or stem cell transplantation) and the effects of any post-therapeutic residuals.”

For uterine cancer the SSA will specifically evaluate if the claimant has evidence that the cancer has invaded other adjoining organs and the condition has moved beyond the regional lymph node and that the condition persists or recurs following initial antineoplastic therapy.

Winning SSDI and SSI for uterine cancer through a medical vocational allowance

If the claimant’s condition does not meet or exceed the listing the claimant must prove that their residual capacity to work has been reduced so much that they cannot perform substantial work. Medical documentation will be needed to document the limitations for the claimant. For instance, if the claimant is weak, tired or nauseous they may be able to prove that completing a normal work day would be impossible. Required medications and their corresponding side-effects can also be evidence that the claimant is unable to safely perform work.

If your condition does not meet a listing it is generally a good idea to talk to a disability lawyer and find out what medical information you need to prove you cannot work.

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Cognitive Disorders and SSA Disability Benefits

Friday, May 4th, 2012

Millions of Americans are diagnosed with various cognitive disorders each year. Cognitive disorders can include a variety of conditions which affect an individual’s ability to process information, to learn, to solve problems or to remember.

A CT of the head years after a traumatic brain...

A CT of the head years after a traumatic brain injury showing an empty space marked by the arrow were the damage occurred. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A loss of cognitive ability is common as claimant’s age, but any condition which is severe can affect a claimant’s ability to perform work. Common conditions which can cause cognitive dysfunction include amnesia, dementia (Alzheimers) or delirium.

Common types of Cognitive Disorders

The medical community generally classifies cognitive disorder into three categories:

  • Delirium

Delirium can be grouped into hypoactive or hyperactive. Patients with hypoactive delirium are generally nonresponsive. Patients with hyperactive delirium may be angry or hostile. Most types of delirium are temporary and are commonly caused by mild anemia, mild hypoxia or mild hyponatremia.

  • Dementia

Dementia is the inability to remember or to learn. This condition is most common in the elderly but can also occur in younger claimants who suffer a stroke, heart attack or severe brain injury.

  • Amnesia

Amnesia occurs if a claimant does not have the ability to remember events or learn new information. Common causes include substance abuse, exposure to toxins, alcohol abuse, brain trauma or Wernicke- Korsakoff’s syndrome.

The three most common cognitive disorders are listed above but there are also a variety of other conditions which are not classified (Cognitive Disorders NOS – Not otherwise specified).

Winning SSDI or SSI for Cognitive Disorders

The SSA has two methods to determine if a claimant is so disabled they qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits. First, the SSA will determine if their condition is listed on the SSA Listing of Impairments (a list of all the conditions and symptoms the SSA considers automatically disabling). If the claimant’s condition is not on the SSA Listing of Impairments (also known as the Blue Book) the claimant will have to prove they do not have enough residual capacity to work through a medical vocational allowance.

Meeting a Listing for Cognitive Disorders

Cognitive disorders can be caused by a variety of conditions. To win benefits for a cognitive disorder by meeting a listing the claimant must show that their condition and symptoms are severe as another condition on the list.

For instance, severe head trauma can cause amnesia or dementia and would be evaluated under listing 11.00 Neurological. Other cognitive disorders would have symptoms similar to mental health disorders which would be evaluated under 12.00 Mental Disorders.

Most claimants who have a cognitive disorder will not meet a listing and will have to prove that they cannot work through a medical vocational allowance.

Winning SSI or SSDI through a Medical Vocational Allowance

To determine if a SSI or SSDI claimant can win benefits through a medical vocational allowance the SSA will evaluate the work effort needed to perform their work. They will also determine the residual capacity the claimant has to work based on their age, education, work history, and health condition.

Claimants should have their doctors clearly document their cognitive problems. For instance, does the claimant have poor concentration, memory or difficulty completing tasks? For instance, claimants who have had a severe head trauma may have impaired attention, concentration or intellectual functioning. If this is clearly documented the claimant can argue that they are unable to work many potential jobs.

If your condition does not meet a listing on the SSA Listing of Impairments you may need to talk to a disability lawyer and have them review your medical records to identify what additional medical information you will need to win your SSI or SSDI claim.

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Juvenile Diabetes and Getting Social Security Disability Benefits

Friday, May 4th, 2012

In the past, type 1 diabetes was also known as juvenile diabetes. This was because it was believed that type 1 diabetes was the only kind of diabetes that children had, except in rare instances. Now, in light of recent findings, anywhere from 8 to 45% of children who are newly diagnosed with diabetes may have type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is actually a group of related diseases that are characterized by your body not being able to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. The energy to do the physical activities of daily life comes from glucose in your blood. The level of glucose in your blood is regulated by several hormones. One of the most important hormones is insulin. A child who has diabetes is either not able to use insulin in the right way or their body does not make enough insulin, or both.

Juvenile diabetes that is type 1 diabetes is when a child’s body does not produce enough insulin. Researchers believe that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is one in which your immune system, for some unknown reason, attacks the cells of your own body. In the case of type 1 diabetes, your child’s immune system attacks the cells that make insulin in your child’s pancreas.

Runs in families

Juvenile diabetes that is type 2 diabetes is marked by your child’s body not being able to properly use the insulin that their body in producing. Type 2 diabetes seems to run in families. What this means is that genetics are a major factor in bringing about this type of diabetes.

If your child has type 1 juvenile diabetes, here are some signs and symptoms that may be an indication of this. These include:

Extreme hunger, especially a craving for sweet snacks
Unintentional weight loss
Fatigue and tiredness
Refusing to play and being sleepy all the time
Frequent urination
Vomiting, nausea, giddiness
Irritability and refusing to be around anyone
Extreme thirst, always wanting juice to drink
Blurred vision
Falling into a coma.

If your child has type 2 juvenile diabetes, these are some signs and symptoms to watch for. They are:

Obesity, which is the hallmark sign or symptom of type 2 diabetes
Little or no thirst
No increase in urination
The presence of sugar in the urine
Strong family history of diabetes with 45 to 80% having at least one parent with diabetes
About 90% of children with type 2 diabetes have acanthosis nigricans ( dark shiny patches of skin that are located most of the time between the fingers and toes and on the back of the neck.

If your child has been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 juvenile diabetes, they may be entitled to get Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI). This is based on how badly they are disabled by their juvenile diabetes and the fact that you, as their parent, have little income or resources.

The right thing to do is to consult a disability attorney who will evaluate your child’s case. A disability attorney may be able to help you get the SSI benefits that your child is entitled to.

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Quadruple Bypass Surgery and SSA Disability

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

I had a quadruple bypass can I get SSDI or SSI?

The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. Within the heart the coronary arteries are an important component supplying  blood to different areas of the heart. If the coronary arteries in an individual become clogged (coronary artery disease), due to fat or cholesterol, this can cause the flow of blood to slow too much through the heart, resulting in severe health conditions.

Coronary circulation, with coronary arteries l...

Coronary circulation, with coronary arteries labeled in red text and other landmarks in blue text.

Common conditions can include increased risk of heart attack, heart disease or chest pain. If multiple arteries are blocked this will cause significant risk to the heart and surgical intervention is generally required.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or quadruple bypass, as it is more commonly known, restores the blood flow to the heart as surgeons redirect the blood either by detaching the artery and reattaching it to another coronary artery or using another vein to detour around the blocked area. Regardless of the method used, the goal of the quadruple bypass surgery is to allow the blood to have a new path through the heart to adequately feed the heart muscle and increase the flow of blood to the heart.

There are some risks with the quadruple bypass surgery including stroke, infection, heart attack, bleeding, chest pains or death. The life expectancy after surgery is approximately 10 to 15 years, but claimants who modify their lifestyle (quit drinking, smoking, start exercising and reduce unhealthy dietary habits) may increase their life expectancy.

Will I be able to work after my quadruple bypass surgery?

The main question for disability claimants after their quadruple bypass surgery is, “Will I be able to go back to work?” Generally, depending on the surgery, complications, other health conditions and type of work the claimant is qualified to perform, many claimants can return to some type of sedentary work within three to four months post-operation.

Some claimants who have severe heart conditions or quadruple bypass surgery may never be able to return to strenuous or heavy work, especially older claimants.

Winning SSDI or SSI benefits for Quadruple Bypass Surgery

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has two methods for determining if a worker is disabled and unable to perform substantial gainful activities: their condition is listed on the SSA Listing of Impairment or Blue Book (a list of conditions the SSA considers automatically disabling) or by proving that their condition is so severe they are no longer able to perform substantial gainful activity (this is done through a medical vocational allowance).

Meeting a Listing in the SSA Listing of Impairments

Heart conditions are evaluated under listing 4.00 Cardiovascular System. Claimants may be able to prove that their heart condition “meets or exceeds” a listing in this section. The conditions listed in this listing include ischemic heart disease, chronic heart failure, recurrent arrhythmias, symptomatic congenital heart disease, aneurysm of the aorta, chronic venous insufficiency, and peripheral arterial disease.

The SSA will evaluate the claimant’s heart condition almost entirely on the claimant’s medical records, including statements made by their treating physicians.

Winning SSDI or SSI through a medical vocational allowance

The claimants who are most likely to win benefits after a quadruple bypass heart surgery are those who have worked heavy labor their entire lives, who are over the age of 55 and who can prove that they do not have the ability to work their current job, any previous job or retrain for new work.

Claimants who are young, who have worked sedentary work and who are highly educated will be less likely to be able to prove that they cannot retrain for new work after quadruple bypass surgery and will generally be denied SSI or SSDI benefits.

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Tachycardia and SSA Disability Benefits

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

Tachycardia (tak-ih-KAHR-de-uh), results when the resting heart rate of a claimant is too fast given the claimant’s age and activity level. An accelerated heart rate occurs when the electrical signals sent across the heart tissue are high, resulting in rapid heartbeats. This increased heart beat can cause the heart to malfunction, increasing the risk of death, heart attacks or strokes. The increased risk of severe heart conditions can also result because the blood is not pumped as efficiently as it should be through the heart, and the heart muscle has an increased need for oxygen.

Most claimants have a heart rate that ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute, although some high level athletes may have an even slower rate. What symptoms are caused by an increased heart rate and oxygen deprivation?

  1. Rapid heart rate
  2. Dizziness
  3. Shortness of breath
  4. Chest pain
  5. Fainting
  6. Irregular heart rate
  7. Low blood pressure
  8. Weakness
  9. Confusion

Winning SSI or SSDI for Tachycardia

Claimants with a severe heart condition such as tachycardia often have difficulty maintaining employment and wonder if they can get SSDI or SSI benefits. The SSA does award benefits to disabled claimants who are severely disabled and cannot work. To decide whether a claimant can or cannot work they will first evaluate whether the claimant’s condition is on their SSA Listing of Impairments, which is a list with all the conditions and symptoms the SSA considers automatically disabling.

If a claimant’s condition is not on this list they will evaluate whether or not the claimant can continue to work their previous job, current job or retrain for new work given their age, educational level, work history and residual work capacity.

Meeting a Listing on the SSA Listing of Impairments for Tachycardia

Tachycardia will be evaluated under Listing 4.00 Cardiovascular System, section 4.05 Recurrent Arrhythmias. Under this listing the SSA states that the arrhythmias cannot be caused by any condition which is reversible and the SSA will expect that the claimant will have received appropriate medical treatment for their condition.

Winning SSI or SSDI benefits for tachycardia through a medical vocational allowance

Some claimants with tachycardia may meet the listing outlined in the SSA Listing of Impairments but more than likely they will have to prove that they can no longer work and win SSI or SSDI benefits through a medical vocational allowance.

Older claimants will have the most success winning SSDI or SSI benefits through a medical vocational allowance. This will be especially true for claimants over the age of 55 who have never performed sedentary work and who are unable to return to arduous labor. Young workers who do not meet or exceed a listing, who are well-educated and who have performed sedentary labor will have more difficulty winning SSDI or SSI through a medical vocational allowance.

If your condition does not meet a listing you may need to talk to a disability lawyer for more information about how to win your SSI or SSDI case.

Hiring a Disability Lawyer

If you do not have the medical evidence to prove that your tachycardia meets or exceeds a listing you may benefit from the help of a disability lawyer. Disability lawyers can review your medical files and determine what additional evidence you may need to prove you cannot work.

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Tumors and Getting Social Security Disability Benefits

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
Tumors are abnormal growths that occur in your body. Tumors are abnormal masses of tissue.

Tumors are formed when cells in your body begin to divide and multiply out of control. When your body is functioning properly, the division of cells is strictly controlled. However, this process does not always work in the right way. New cells are formed without being needed, and old cells remain alive when they should have died.

Tumors result from these extra cells. Tumors may either be benign or malignant. Tumors that are benign are not cancer. Tumors that are malignant are cancer.

Many different kinds

There are many different kinds of tumors that may develop. The name that is given to a tumor, in most instances, is a reflection of the type of tissue that it comes from. The name of the tumor may also reveal something about how it grows and what its shape is.

Benign tumors develop only in one area. They do not spread (metastasize) or invade other areas of your body.

If you have a tumor that is benign, you may not need any treatment for it at all. You may need to have it reduced in size (debulked) or entirely removed by surgery. Benign tumors can be dangerous if they press against one of your vital organs, like your brain.

Characteristics of malignant tumors

As mentioned earlier, malignant tumors are cancer. Tumors that are cancer are made up of cells that are aggressive (they grow and divide without respect to normal limits), invasive (they invade and destroy adjacent tissue) and sometimes metastatic (they spread to other parts of your body).

The primary cause of tumors is when the process of cell division does not work like it ought to. Difficulties with the way that your immune system is functioning can result in tumors. There are other things that can lead to the formation of tumors. Some of these are:

Genetic difficulties
Certain viruses
Benzene and other toxins and chemicals
Radiation
Excessive exposure to sunlight
Obesity
Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol
A sedentary lifestyle (inactivity).

Certain tumors develop in one gender more than they do in the other. Other tumors are more prevalent in either the elderly or children, and still others vary according to your family history, diet and environment.

The signs and symptoms that you experience with tumors will be determined by the location and kind that you have. Certain types of tumors result in no symptoms at all. Possible signs and symptoms produced by tumors include:

Loss of appetite
Unintentional weight loss
Chills
Night sweats
Fever
Malaise (general feeling of not being well)
Fatigue
Blood in your stool
Shortness of breath
Constipation
Chest pain
Diarrhea
Coughing
Iron deficiency anemia.

Malignant tumors (cancer) are listed in the Social Security Administration’s list of impairments

. You may be able to get Social Security disability benefits if you have tumors. It will depend on the type that you have and the disability that they have brought about.

It is always a smart move to consult a disability attorney about your case and the possibility of you getting the Social Security disability benefits that are rightfully yours.

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