Social Security Disability Benefits and Memory Loss
A good number of social security disability (SSD) or supplemental security income (SSI) applicants cite memory loss as either the primary or secondary condition for which they seek disability benefits.
In some individuals memory loss may be the result of an ongoing mental condition, such as severe depression. Others experience memory loss as a result of a physical impairment, such as a stroke or other brain injury, or an ongoing chronic condition or syndrome, such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue. Regardless of the cause of onset, however, memory loss is judged by disability examiners based on its severity; i.e., the degree to which it limits your ability to work.
In order to collect disability benefits on the basis of memory loss, you must be able to demonstrate, through medical records, that you have a physical or mental condition that causes memory loss, and that this condition is severe enough not only to prevent you from using skills needed to perform any past job duties, but is also severe enough to prevent you from learning any new skills that may help you obtain gainful employment in any new position to which you may be suited.
Of course, it can’t be stressed enough how important it is to supply social security with a complete medical and work history—without these records a social security disability examiner will be unable to make any decision in your case. It would also be extremely helpful if your medical records show that your physician has referred you for some sort of mental function testing that demonstrates you are unable to perform simple, repetitive tasks involving short-term and long-term memory. A signed statement from your treating physician detailing both specific symptoms of your condition and how they affect your memory will be helpful to your case as well.
In addition, the social security administration (SSA) may require that you attend a consultative exam (CE). A consultative exam is performed by a doctor who works for SSA, and is often employed as a means of evaluating claims with symptoms that are not readily apparent, such as chronic fatigue, insomnia, diminished sexual function, etc. In the case of memory loss, a CE will most likely include a weschler memory scale (WMS) exam, which tests a wide range of memory functions, including the ability to recall past events, current events, number sequences, photographs or pictures, word associations, etc.
If you are scheduled for a CE, you must attend, or reschedule if you are unable to make the appointment. Having memory loss is not a valid excuse for missing a CE, so ask a friend or relative to write down the date and plan to attend the CE with you if at all possible. Remember, failure to attend a consultative exam is grounds for immediate dismissal of your claim!
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Social Security Disability Secrets
Social Security Disability Benefits Questions
In some individuals memory loss may be the result of an ongoing mental condition, such as severe depression. Others experience memory loss as a result of a physical impairment, such as a stroke or other brain injury, or an ongoing chronic condition or syndrome, such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue. Regardless of the cause of onset, however, memory loss is judged by disability examiners based on its severity; i.e., the degree to which it limits your ability to work.
In order to collect disability benefits on the basis of memory loss, you must be able to demonstrate, through medical records, that you have a physical or mental condition that causes memory loss, and that this condition is severe enough not only to prevent you from using skills needed to perform any past job duties, but is also severe enough to prevent you from learning any new skills that may help you obtain gainful employment in any new position to which you may be suited.
Of course, it can’t be stressed enough how important it is to supply social security with a complete medical and work history—without these records a social security disability examiner will be unable to make any decision in your case. It would also be extremely helpful if your medical records show that your physician has referred you for some sort of mental function testing that demonstrates you are unable to perform simple, repetitive tasks involving short-term and long-term memory. A signed statement from your treating physician detailing both specific symptoms of your condition and how they affect your memory will be helpful to your case as well.
In addition, the social security administration (SSA) may require that you attend a consultative exam (CE). A consultative exam is performed by a doctor who works for SSA, and is often employed as a means of evaluating claims with symptoms that are not readily apparent, such as chronic fatigue, insomnia, diminished sexual function, etc. In the case of memory loss, a CE will most likely include a weschler memory scale (WMS) exam, which tests a wide range of memory functions, including the ability to recall past events, current events, number sequences, photographs or pictures, word associations, etc.
If you are scheduled for a CE, you must attend, or reschedule if you are unable to make the appointment. Having memory loss is not a valid excuse for missing a CE, so ask a friend or relative to write down the date and plan to attend the CE with you if at all possible. Remember, failure to attend a consultative exam is grounds for immediate dismissal of your claim!
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