Medical Records

Published on: August 12, 2019

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

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Since the symptoms of myasthenia gravis so closely mirror chronic fatigue syndrome and several other fatigue-causing conditions, a complete diagnosis of the condition is important to help you recover Social Security disability benefits for your condition. The results of diagnostic tests performed by your doctor, that too at times when your muscles are at their most fatigued will help. Since myasthenia gravis can be episodic, there may be periods of severe symptoms followed by periods of remission. Your medical records will prove vital.

Another possible route to recovery of the Social Security disability benefits that you qualify for is the medical-vocational allowance path which will focus on the types of work that you are unable to do as a result of your condition. For example, if the condition has resulted in extreme weakness in your arms or hands, you may not be able to lift things which makes manual work very difficult or impossible to do.

If you suffer from myasthenia gravis, discuss your eligibility for benefits with this law firm by calling (404) 255- 9838.

Published on: December 31, 2018

THE CHALLENGES INVOLVED IN APPLYING FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR HYPERTENSION

By Lisa Siegel

As many as 1 in 4 Americans are believed to suffer from hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Those with hypertension have high blood pressure levels, even when they are at rest. There are several challenges involved in applying for benefits for hypertension. First, the Social Security Administration (SSA) no longer includes the condition in its impairments book that qualifies for benefits. Also, your condition may not meet the disability criteria of the agency.

However, you may still be able to qualify for benefits. In order to qualify for disability benefits for hypertension, you will be required to provide detailed and accurate medical information. Your doctor must provide a treatment summary or notes testifying to your condition, including any current treatment for your hypertension. If you have been admitted into the hospital any time in the past after a spike in your blood pressure levels, this information must be relayed to the SSA too. Blood test results, as well as the results of CT scans and MRI scans, if available, must also be presented as evidence.

Remember, you may be able to qualify for benefits if your Residual Function Capacity shows that you face restrictions on the amount of work you can do. For instance, if your hypertension causes heart dysfunction, and restricts your ability to work to just about two hours of physical activity a day, it can severely limit your ability to work and earn an income.

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Published on: May 31, 2016

How to Respond to Common Medical Questions at a Disability Hearing

By Lisa Siegel

At a typical disability hearing, you can expect plenty of questions about your medical condition, the treatment you are undergoing and other medical and health-related aspects of your case. It’s very important to be absolutely certain about the kind of limitations your condition places on you. Being vague, or sounding uncertain at a disability hearing, could prove disastrous for your case.

For instance, if you are seeking disability benefits for a condition that involves a lot of pain, you will be expected to describe the intensity of your pain. Being vague, hesitating, or exaggerating your symptoms will not help. The judge may also ask you to rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10, and you should be able to do so without any hesitation.

You must also be prepared to provide very detailed and specific answers to questions about the nature of your symptoms, and the physical and mental limitations that they impose on you. If your job requires you to carry heavy loads, and you’re unable to do that because of your condition, be prepared to explain this to the judge at the disability hearing.

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Published on: April 27, 2016

Consultative Medical Exams: What You Should Know

By Lisa Siegel

If the examiner handling your disability claim wants you to undergo a consultative medical exam, it may be in your best interest to do so. Keep in mind, however, that being asked to undergo a consultative medical exam doesn’t necessarily mean that your examiner does not believe you have a genuine claim for benefits. It may simply mean that they want more information about your condition.

Typically, a consultative medical exam is very brief, and is performed by a doctor who is paid by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to conduct your exam. These doctors do not work for SSA, but are contracted by the agency to perform these services. You might find that the doctor in charge of your consultative medical exam is very brief, and even possibly curt with you. It’s not uncommon for patients to be bewildered at the rudeness that they encounter from the physician performing their consultative medical exam. Don’t take it personally. The fact is that you are not an ongoing patient of the doctor and therefore, he or she may not feel the need to be particularly cordial or expansive in their explanations.

Also, remember that the doctor will be looking for signs that your condition is not as medically impairing as you’ve claimed it to be. If you walk into the doctor’s office with a limp, don’t be surprised to find him peeking from behind curtains to make sure that you’re not walking back to the car with a spring in your step.

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