Articles Tagged with “disability benefits”

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Young athletes who suffer frequent concussions have a higher risk of suffering multiple sclerosis later in life.

These findings were part of a study recently published in the journal Annals of Neurology.  Researchers in Sweden analyzed medical histories of Swedes who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis since 1964. When the same data was compared with another control group, the researchers found that the risk of development of multiple sclerosis later in life was higher in people who had suffered multiple head injuries during their youth.  Persons who had suffered at least one concussion were 22% more likely to suffer symptoms of multiple sclerosis later in life, compared to those who had not suffered such injuries. In the case of multiple concussions, the likelihood increased by a staggering 150%.

The study also revealed that concussions do not seem to be so damaging when they occur during childhood. Adolescent brains seem to be much less resilient, making them more vulnerable to the long-term effects of consistent concussions.

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Lupus patients from lower socio-economic populations have a higher risk of suffering organ damage as a result of the condition.

According to new research published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology, persistent poverty is linked to an increase in the amount of damage caused by lupus over time. On the other hand, persons who are able to improve their economic conditions may alleviate those signs of damage.

Chronic stress, which is often linked to poverty, could be to blame for the higher risk of organ damage that people from lower socio-economic backgrounds suffer. The study which focused on 783 patients found that stresses related to availability of food, affordable housing, and medical care were linked to a higher risk of suffering organ damage.

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Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition and many victims who suffer from this debilitating disease apply for Social Security disability benefits every year.

A person who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis may suffer from pain, severe inflammation, and stiffness in the joints combined with excessive fatigue. There are also several complications associated with rheumatoid arthritis, including osteoporosis, dry eyes, infections, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even cardiac disease. These complications make it extremely difficult for a person to work and earn a sustainable income.

A new study finds that eating more fish can help relieve some of the painful symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The results of the study were published recently in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology. Researchers were specifically looking at how increasing fish consumption could reduce activity of the disease.

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Asthma can result in breathlessness and extreme sensitivity to fumes, odor, smoke, dust particles, and a variety of other contaminants that may be present in a work environment. Therefore, it would seem that this condition should qualify for Social Security disability benefits.  It is, however, more complicated.

If you suffer from chronic asthmatic bronchitis, which means that you frequently suffer from asthma attacks that last for a minimum of one day, or suffer from asthma attacks at least six times a year, you may qualify for benefits. If you meet the above criteria, you must provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) medical documentation of your condition and symptoms, including a doctor’s summary, results of lab and diagnostic tests, evidence of hospitalization, and your results on asthma tests.

Some cases of asthma may be severe, but may not meet the above-mentioned criteria. What happens then? In such a case, SSA will usually consider your claim for disability benefits under the medical vocational allowance doctrine. This means that the agency will consider a number of factors including your age and work history, and will also determine your residual functional capacity.  This refers to your ability to perform any job to a reasonable extent.

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Losing a limb is an extremely traumatic situation for any person.  While many amputees do receive social security disability benefits, not all types of amputations qualify.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines certain criteria that an amputee must meet in order to qualify for disability benefits. For instance, if your amputation involves both hands, one or both legs above the ankle, one leg up to the hip level, one hand and one leg, or a pelvic amputation, you may qualify for benefits. The cause of the amputation does not matter.

If you suffer from any other type of amputation, you may or may not qualify for benefits. For instance, if you have suffered an amputation of your dominant hand which you use to perform most of your tasks, you may qualify for benefits. In such cases, SSA will specifically focus on whether your amputation or your disability makes it difficult for you to work and earn a sustainable income.

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While the fatality rate from cardiac disease is on its way down across the United States, the rates of heart failure are increasing. That information comes from a new report by the American Heart Association, which also finds that cardiac disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States.

According to the report, over a period of just five years, the number of Americans who suffer from heart failure increased by 800,000. In fact, according to the American Heart Association (AMA), over the next few years, that rate is expected to increase further. By 2030, the rate of heart failure in the US is expected to increase by a staggering 46%. Approximately 8,000,000 people by that time will suffer from some degree of heart failure. At special risk are seniors and survivors of heart attacks, who constitute the most at-risk groups for heart failure.

A person who suffers from heart failure will typically encounter a number of complications that severely impact his or her health. For instance, heart failure increases the risk of blood leaking into other organs, including the liver and lungs. Persons, who suffer from heart failure may also experience shortness of breath, frequent swelling of the extremities, accelerated heart rate, confusion, disorientation, severe cough, and accumulation of body fluids. Furthermore, symptoms of heart failure tend to worsen over time.

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You don’t have to be a US citizen to be eligible for and receive Social Security disability benefits. Even non-US citizens may qualify for benefits.

If you are a permanent resident, but a non-citizen, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, because you have paid taxes into the Social Security system for the minimum number of years required to be eligible for benefits. Furthermore, if you are a non-citizen, but have served as an active member of the US military or are a veteran, you may also qualify for benefits.

Even if you are not a permanent resident, you may still continue to be eligible for benefits. Foreigners who are working inside the United States may qualify as long as they pay Social Security taxes. If you are a foreign student studying in the United States, however, you may not be eligible for benefits. Additionally, if you are in the United States on an exchange program, you may not be eligible for benefits because you are exempted from paying taxes into the Social Security system.

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A scientific study published three years ago that claimed to have found breakthrough results in the search for a cure for diabetes has now been retracted.

The article titled Betatrophin: A Hormone that Controls Pancreatic Cell Proliferation was widely acclaimed when it was published back in 2013. According to researchers at that time, they had identified a new hormone that could help boost the secretion of insulin in diabetes patients, thereby making it unnecessary for patients to take insulin injections.

However, the group has now admitted that since then, research from another group has failed to replicate the findings of the earlier study. The earlier study had been conducted on rodents.  Now, the researchers have voluntarily retracted their 2013 study, and have confirmed that their earlier conclusion was wrong.

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Sciatica is a fairly common nerve disorder characterized by chronic pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation in the lower extremities. It is connected to an injury involving the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the human body. Sciatica is curable, and over a period of time, a person may be able to manage the symptoms associated with the condition.

It is not very common for a person to qualify for Social Security disability benefits on the basis of a sciatica diagnosis alone. In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits for this condition, you may have to prove that your condition makes it difficult for you to function in a work environment. For instance, if your pain makes it difficult for you to sit for long periods of time, you may claim that your symptoms make it difficult for you to function normally in a regular work situation. You might be able to argue that you are unable to sit for long periods of time without your symptoms being severely aggravated, and therefore, are unable to perform your job.

One of the more common symptoms associated with sciatica is weakness in the legs. If your job requires you to stand for long periods of time, these symptoms may make it difficult for you to perform your job properly.

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A disability hearing is one of the most critical stages in your appeals process.  While it is not required that you attend in person, it could be critically important that you do so.  So yes, you have to attend your disability hearing.

Remember that the disability hearing gives you face to face interaction with key persons who will decide the fate of your case. The administrative law judge (ALJ) assigned to your case will be able to ask you questions and hear your side of the story.  You will be able to provide evidence about your eligibility for benefits, and will be able to tell the judge in your own words why you believe that you qualify for disability benefits. You can present your account of your condition to your judge, and persuade him or her about the severity of the symptoms which restrict your ability to work.

In some cases, the judge will be able to see firsthand that you indeed do suffer from the limitations that you have claimed in your appeal. For instance, if your claim is based on mobility problems, musculoskeletal problems, chronic fatigue, or other problems that are easily apparent, the hearing will give the judge a chance to see how your condition limits your ability to perform substantial gainful activity and earn a living. If you stay home and are absent from the hearing, you are depriving the ALJ of the opportunity to take notice of how the symptoms affect you. This could be crucial to the success of your claim.

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