A Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Support You

Do you suffer from a painful medical condition that is debilitating? If so, you are not alone. Many individuals suffer from painful medical conditions (such as arthritis or back pain) that make working difficult or even impossible. Fortunately, the federal government, through the Social Security Administration, administers the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) program and the Social Security Income (SSI) program that can both offer some financial assistance to individuals suffering from painful medical conditions. 

The SSD program is offered to people with qualifying disabilities who have worked and paid into Social Security, earning sufficient work credits. SSD is like an insurance policy whereby individuals pay into the program while they are working, and later receive benefits if they develop a qualifying disability that keeps them from working. The SSI program is offered to individuals with qualifying medical disabilities who have certain income and asset limits where they need additional financial support. 

To be found medically disabled, you must have been or expect to be out of full-time work for at least 12 months. You must also make less than what the SSA determines to be “Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA). These programs are offered to individuals with qualifying disabilities, which can encompass a wide variety of different medical conditions that cause extreme pain and limit one’s ability to work. 

The SSA uses their own medical guide called the Blue Book to evaluate disability conditions. This guidebook includes a variety of different listings of impairments and the medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of each of the impairments. If you or a loved one are unsure whether a condition qualifies as a disability to receive SSD benefits, contact an experienced Social Security Disability attorney at Nyman Turkish today for a FREE CONSULTATION! 

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Social Security Disability

Arthritis can be a painful condition to live with and can make working impossible in some situations. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that causes inflammation in certain affected parts of the body. RA mostly attacks the joints such as the hands, wrists, and knees. Where RA affects joints, the lining of the joining can become inflamed, damaging the joint tissue and causing long lasting and chronic pain. Some individuals suffering from RA are in agonizing pain, which makes it difficult to even get out of bed sometimes, let alone make it to work and successfully complete a full day of work. Fortunately, arthritis is a condition listed in the Blue Book under Section 14.09 Inflammatory Arthritis (listed under Section 14.0 Immune System Disorders). If you or a loved one are suffering from chronic RA, you may want to speak with an experienced SSD attorney for an opinion as to whether the RA condition may be a qualifying disability that may qualify you for SSD benefits. 

Fibromyalgia and Social Security Disability

Fibromyalgia is a complex medical condition that affects the muscles and soft tissue and can cause chronic pain. Some symptoms of fibromyalgia include muscle pain, fatigue, painful tender points, and trigger points. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fibromyalgia affects about four million adults in the United states. In some situations, fibromyalgia may be treated with a combination of treatments which may include: medications, exercise, stress management techniques, good sleep habits, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Unfortunately, for some, the treatment is not effective and the pain of this condition can be debilitating. 

The SSA does not have a specific listing for this condition, but SSA has published some guidance on how examiners should assess fibromyalgia cases. In order for your claim to be successful, you must have substantial evidence to prove chronic widespread pain from your fibromyalgia. The guidance describes the evidence needed to establish a medically determinable impairment of fibromyalgia. An experienced SSD attorney at Nyman Turkish can help you build your case to show the SSA that your fibromyalgia has caused you to become medically disabled and unable to work.

Back Pain and Social Security Disability

Although the Blue Book does not actually list back pain as a qualifying disability, it does list some conditions that may cause back pain such as those listed under Section 1.04 dealing with disorders of the spine (such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and facet arthritis). 

To be successful in a disability claim involving back pain, you will need to provide significant medical documentation to the SSA examiner to prove that your condition prevents you from working or engaging in SGA. Medical documentation that you may need to submit to prove your case may include, but are not limited to: doctor’s notes indicating your back condition limits your ability to do your job, x-rays, documentation that your condition has worsened over time, MRI’s, etc. Convincing the SSA examiner that your back pain is a qualifying disability can be challenging. We recommend you seek counsel from an experienced SSD attorney who can evaluate your case and help you fight for the benefits that you deserve. The disability attorneys at Nyman Turkish are standing by to answer your questions and offer you a FREE CASE EVALUATION. DON’T WAIT! Contact a Nyman Turkish attorney today. 

Next Steps: Contact A Social Security Disability Attorney at Nyman Turkish Today

If you are experiencing painful medical conditions, such as excruciating back pain, that is affecting your ability to work, contact a SSD attorney at Nyman Turkish today for a FREE SSD CASE EVALUATION. Our Firm is different. We work with clients at any stage of their SSD case and we offer a NO FEE GUARANTEE, so you have nothing to lose by calling to see if you qualify for benefits. We represent clients NATIONWIDE from our offices in California, Florida, and Michigan.