We Have The Answers To Common Questions Regarding Social Security And Veterans’ Disability Benefits

As a victim of congestive heart failure, you may find yourself needing financial assistance. Heart disease can make it difficult or impossible to earn a living. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration recognizes chronic heart failure as a disability. Obtaining benefits requires that you demonstrate certain symptoms as well as functional limitations caused by the condition.

Functional Limitations of Congestive Heart Failure

To qualify for benefits, you first must submit medical records that show evidence of either systolic or diastolic heart failure. Once you overcome this hurdle, your next step is to show that the heard condition creates certain functional limitations. You must prove at least one of the following:

• You are unable to perform on an exercise tolerance test at certain workload equivalent because of the difficulties caused by your condition.
• Performing an exercise tolerance test is too risky due to your heart condition, and symptoms of heart failure are so persistent that they seriously limit your activities of daily living.
• Over the past 12 months, you have experienced at least three episodes of heart failure and fluid retention that required you to seek emergency room treatment for at least 12 hours.

Heart disease is a condition that affects many people throughout Texas on a minute-by-minute basis. Since the problem is so widespread, we urge you to share this article with your friends and family on Facebook today. You may help one of your loved ones to obtain the disability benefits that they need.

If you suffer from a benign brain tumor that affects your ability to work at your job at Texas Instruments in Dallas and to function in general, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. There are generally three ways in which to qualify for these benefits. The first option is to show that you meet the specific “Blue Book” listing for a brain tumor outlined by the Social Security Administration. The second option is to show that you equal another listing outlined by the Social Security Administration. The last option is to prove that you are unable to work because of the condition.

Meeting the Benign Brain Tumor Listing

Benign brain tumors are a specific listing under the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book. In order to qualify for disability benefits, however, you must show that you meet the impairment requirements for additional listings as well. These additional listing include seizures, strokes, speech problems, loss of hearing, or mental disorders. To prove that your benign brain tumor symptoms are accompanied by seizures, you must demonstrate that the seizures significantly impact your ability to function. To prove that your benign brain tumor symptoms also meet the requirements for a stroke under the Blue Book listing, you must show that you have had a stroke that now affects your ability to talk, walk, or use your arms.

In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you should first obtain a diagnosis from your physician verifying that you suffer from a benign brain tumor. You should then contact an attorney who can walk you through the disability application process.

Do you have questions right now? We encourage you to download our free guide, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know.

If you are suffering from eczema, you may find it difficult to work or carry out basic daily activities. Eczema causes inflamed, itchy, and irritated skin that can occur anywhere on the body. It is most common on the hands, feet, face, and back of the knees. Sufferers may qualify for Social Security disability benefits automatically if they can demonstrate that they meet the requirements set forth in the Social Security Administration’s disability listing for dermatitis.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits Due to Eczema

In order to automatically qualify for benefits from the office of the Social Security Administration, you must meet certain criteria. The following is an overview of what you must show when you file your claim:

1. A diagnosis of eczema by a licensed physician.
2. The type of eczema diagnosed must be accompanied by extensive skin lesions.
3. Extensive skin lesions must either cover an area of the body needed to function, such as the palms of the hands,
4. or cover multiple less significant areas of the body. Examples would be the elbows and the face.
5. Extensive skin lesions must also cause serious limitations.
6. The extensive skin lesions must last for at least three months.
7. The extensive skin lesions must not be responding to any prescribed treatment.

Before submitting your claim for Social Security disability benefits, we encourage you to view our free guide, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know. We invite you to share this guide with your friends and family on Facebook!

Victims of chronic and potentially terminal illnesses may qualify for Social Security disability benefits in order to help relieve the strain of financial obligations. Human immunodeficiency virus is one such condition. HIV is a virus that results in the progressive failure of the immune system. It nearly always goes on to develop into Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. In order to qualify for disability benefits, you must first show that your HIV has progressed to this point.

Meeting the Criteria for the Social Security Administration’s HIV Listing

In order to meet the criteria for the HIV listing in the Social Security Administration’s policies, you must prove that you have been diagnosed with either HIV or AIDS through specific tests. You must also demonstrate that you have one of the following conditions:

1. Bacterial infection
2. Viral infection
3. Fungal infection
4. Protozoan or helminthic infection
5. Cancer
6. Skin or mucus membrane condition
7. HIV encephalopathy with swelling of the brain that causes cognitive or physical impairments
8. HIV wasting syndrome with a loss of 10% of your body weight and diarrhea that is at least twice a day, or, alternatively, diarrhea that lasts for a month or longer
9. Diarrhea that lasts for longer than a month and does not respond to treatment, requiring intravenous hydration or a feeding tube
10. Infections that do not respond to treatment or that lead to hospitalizations three or more times in one year

Further, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms severely enough to cause impairments in your ability to carry out activities of daily living, functioning socially, or focusing on and finishing tasks, you may also be eligible.

To familiarize yourself with the process of pursuing disability benefits, we encourage you to view our free guide, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know. We also invite you to share the guide with your friends and family on Facebook!

Unlike some other diseases and conditions giving rise to a disability, lupus is a chronic disease that causes harm to your body over a period of time. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack itself. It can cause damage to your joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs. As a result of its chronic nature, it could be the case that your limitations have increased to the extent where you will now qualify for Social Security disability benefits, even if you were denied in the past.

How to Appeal a Social Security Disability Benefits Denial

So what should you do if you find yourself with an increasing inability to function as a result of lupus, but were denied Social Security disability benefits in the past? Consider taking the following steps:

• Consult with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney familiar with the complex rules and requirements for obtaining Social Security disability benefits.
• Determine whether you meet the listing requirements for lupus. Lupus is one of the diseases that is specifically listed in Social Security’s listing of impairments. As a result, if you meet the requirements, you may qualify for benefits.
• Assess whether you are no longer able to work due to impairments created by lupus. This may include evaluating the physical, mental, and sensory limitations brought on by the condition.
• Gather the medical evidence required to meet the lupus listing under Social Security’s listing of impairments. This includes obtaining updated medical information. Eleven criteria are set forth to determine whether an individual has lupus. You must meet at least four of those criteria.
• Complete the appeal forms provided by the nearest Texas Social Security disability field office.
• Call SSA to follow up.

If you suffer from a debilitating chronic condition like lupus, do not give up on your pursuit for Social Security disability benefits. To further prepare yourself for the appeals process, we encourage you to view our free guide, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know.

Claimants approved for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits may be pleased to know that they may be entitled to back pay. This back pay is made to compensate applicants for the sometimes lengthy amount of time that it takes the Social Security Administration to process disability claims. Back pay is distributed either in one lump sum or in three installments spread out over six month intervals.

After reviewing your claim, if the Social Security Administration has notified you that you are entitled back pay to be paid out in intervals, there is a further restriction that you must be aware of. In some cases, the installments will not be in equal amounts. If the back pay that is owed is more than three times the monthly Supplemental Security Income benefit amount, prior to deductions for income or support, then you will be paid in partial installments. The first two partial installments cannot equal more than three times your maximum monthly benefit. The third and final installment is in whatever amount is necessary to complete the back pay payments. Fortunately for those in need, there are exceptions to these rules.

Exceptions to Installment Payment Plan

• The amount of your first and second partial installment payments for back pay can be increased if you can demonstrate necessary medical needs or debts that relate to necessities, such as housing, food, or clothing.
• Installment payments can be converted to a lump sum payment if you can show that you are expected to die within 12 months.
• Installment payments can be converted to a lump sum payment if you become ineligible for Supplemental Security Income.

Managing Social Security disability claims in Dallas can be a complex process. To learn more about how we have helped many clients in situations like yours, view our client testimonials.

To be successful in your claim for Social Security disability benefits, we must gather and submit your medical records to the Social Security Administration. Because our law firm gathers, stores and electronically transmits medical records (Protected Health Information – PHI), we are required to notify you that your protected health information is subject to electronic disclosure.

Texas and Federal Law prohibits any electronic disclosure of a client’s protected health information to any person without a separate authorization from the client for each disclosure. This authorization for disclosure may be made in written or electronic form or in oral form if it is documented in writing by our law firm.

The authorization for electronic disclosure of protected health information described above is not required if the disclosure is made: to another covered entity, as that term is defined by §181.001, or to a covered entity, as that term is defined by §602.001, Insurance Code, for the purpose of: treatment; payment; health care operations; performing an insurance or health maintenance organization function described by §602.053, Insurance Code; or as otherwise authorized or required by State or Federal Law. In other words, no further release is necessary for electronic disclosure to other health care providers, insurance companies, or governmental agencies. As the Social Security Administration is a “covered entity”, the authorization you provide us at the beginning of your claim allows us to send your medical records to SSA electronically.

In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits in Dallas, you must first demonstrate that you are unable to return to the work that you previously performed as a result of your disability, or that you cannot perform that work in the same capacity. The Social Security Administration will review various information about your previous work history in order to make this determination. Depending on how long you have been in the work force and the types of jobs that you have performed, the Administration may not look at every job you have ever held in order to decide whether you are still able to do your past work.

What to Expect During the Application Process

During the application process for Texas Social Security disability benefits, the Administration will review the information that you provide about your relevant work history. Typically, this means work that falls into the following categories:

• Jobs that were held within the past 15 years.
• Jobs that involved significant and productive physical or mental activities that were done for pay.
• Jobs that were held long enough for you to learn how to fulfill all of the responsibilities.

Any past positions which fall into these categories are likely to be used to assess the impact of your condition on your ability to perform your past work. It is very important to remember that the applicant seeking disability benefits must provide this information. Failing to provide the Social Security Administration with the information that it needs could result in a denial of your claim. Fortunately, an experienced attorney can assist you with gathering the correct information needed to obtain benefits.

For more helpful information relating to Social Security disability benefits in Texas, we encourage you to follow us on Facebook.

If you requested a personal hearing during the appeal process for your VA disability claim in Texas, you may have chosen to have this hearing with a Board Member. For those who have never sat through a personal hearing in the past, the process may seem intimidating. Fortunately, by breaking down the steps for what you can expect, you may feel more calm and prepared. You can expect the following as part of your personal hearing:

• The hearing is informal. Your personal hearing for your VA disability benefits in Texas will not mimic a formal courtroom trial.
• At the beginning of the hearing, the Board Member will identify himself to you and make sure that you agree as to what the claims are on appeal.
• The Board Member will then go over with you what will happen during the hearing.
• As part of the personal hearing, you will be asked to take an oath where you agree to tell the truth.
• During the hearing, you will have the opportunity to speak to the Board Member about any information that you feel is important. You may also add evidence to your claim that will be added to your file for review by the Board Member.
• Using a representative is beneficial because he or she will guide your explanation of the claim by asking you questions during the process.
• In some cases, the Board Member will ask you questions during the hearing.
• A transcript of the personal hearing is added to your file with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The Board Member will review all of the information in the file and make a decision.

To learn more about this and other helpful articles relating to VA disability benefits in Texas, follow us on Facebook.

After submitting your request for an on-the-record decision in Dallas, there are several possible next steps in the Social Security disability claim process. Fortunately, an experienced attorney can help guide you each step of the way. The following are potential next steps following an application for an on-the record decision as part of your Social Security disability claim:

• It is possible that an attorney adjudicator reviewing your file may contact you with specific questions. Examples of such questions include whether you are currently working, or when your disability began.
• You may receive an approval of your on-the-record decision. The judge will review the written record provided to the Social Security Administration and may issue a finding that you qualify for benefits.
• You request for on-the-record decision in Dallas might not be approved.
• Your Social Security disability case may move on to a hearing.

Fortunately, there are no penalties for being issued a denial of your request for an on-the-record decision. If the request succeeds, however, you will have avoided the need for a hearing with regard to your claim. The process will also have been expedited since you will not have to wait for a formal hearing. Since there are so many potential benefits to obtaining an on-the-record decision, this means there is little reason not to seek out the on-the-record decision.

The attorneys at Morgan & Weisbrod are experienced and knowledgeable with regard to helping clients obtain Social Security disability benefits. To learn more about how we have helped clients with claims like yours, view our many positive client testimonials. For more information and helpful tips, follow us on Facebook!