tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:40:34 +0000A blog by a former social security disability claims examiner about social security disability and SSI Disability issues and questions, but also general, health, and medical news.http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/blogindex.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)Blogger382125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-4915028984040220837Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:31:00 +00002009-11-04T09:40:34.353-05:00applying for disabilitysocial security disability applicationThere are basically two types of disability application denials: technical and medical. If a disability application is denied for technical reasons, the application will never be sent for a medical determination. Technical denials include lack of insured status denials, performance of SGA denials, and res judicata denials. The first type 1. Lack of insured status denial- A disability denial that http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/11/why-will-social-security-disability.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-7920431284240537813Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:56:00 +00002009-10-29T16:18:20.109-04:00apply for disabilityFrom the standpoint of the social security administration, disability is synonymous with the inability to engage in work activity; in other words, an individual's state of disability begins when they become unable to perform substantial gainful work activity due to the effects of a disabling condition or conditions. However, and this can be confusing for applicants, this does not necessarily meanhttp://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/when-you-apply-for-disability-do-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-697638130265851129Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:37:00 +00002009-10-27T14:52:43.000-04:00kids social security disabilityIf I get disability benefits, will my family or kids get benefits?. Well, FMAX or family max, is all the money that is payable on an individual's record. From the FMAX amount, the disabled individual must be paid their benefit (PIA). The remainder, if there is, any will be divided amongst their dependents.The most a dependent beneficiary can be paid is one half of the disabled individual's PIA. http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/if-i-get-disability-benefits-will-my.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-6229905682431665403Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:20:00 +00002009-10-24T10:34:15.386-04:00social security disability workapply for disabilitySocial Security disability is available to an individual even if they have received disability benefits in the past. Many individuals receive disability benefits more than one time in their life, especially if they suffer from some chronic medical and/or mental condition (s).Contrary to what many mistakenly believe, Social Security disability benefits do not replace an individual’s total income, http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/can-you-apply-for-disability-if-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-6445156777791965059Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:08:00 +00002009-10-21T11:14:01.594-04:00social security disability medical historyapply for disabilityIf you only have old medical source records when you apply for disability, Social Security will still request the old records. Social Security prefers to have at least twelve months of records to establish a longitudinal medical history for your physical and/or mental impairment (s); however, current medical treatment records (medical records that are no more than ninety days old) are also neededhttp://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/what-happens-if-you-apply-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-248505833874228567Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:46:00 +00002009-10-13T12:58:55.228-04:00When individuals initially file for Social Security disability there is no absolute requirement to have a lawyer or representative. However, since most initial disability claims are denied, disability applicants typically have to begin the Social Security appeal process in order to be eventually approved for disability benefits and this, in and of itself, generally necessitates a need for http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/if-you-have-lawyer-will-he-gather.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-6417151363008369467Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:37:00 +00002009-10-11T10:41:32.781-04:00There are times when an individual can be employed and still apply for disability benefits. In these cases, an individual must be earning under the substantial gainful activity, or SGA monthly amount. What is SGA? Each year Social Security sets an amount that it considers equivalent to substantial gainful work activity, a work activity level at which the social security administration no longer http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/employed-but-have-trouble-doing-my-job.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-7848573666921136401Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:57:00 +00002009-10-08T22:59:14.138-04:00Social Security defines disability as the inability to engage in substantial work activity for twelve months, the expectation not to be able to perform substantial work activity for twelve months, or the possibility of death due to a medically determinable mental or physical impairment. As you can see, Social Security considers work activity to be a major factor in determining your continued http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/will-social-security-disability.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-7088715364264661512Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:35:00 +00002009-10-05T14:02:08.385-04:00Social Security Disability and SSI disability benefits are awarded on the basis of whether or not a claimant is able to engage in what is known as substantial and gainful work activity. And what that means is working and earning at least a certain gross monthly income amount, known as the SGA amount (for the current amount, go here: SGA, substantial gainful activity).In a nutshell, the ability tohttp://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/what-does-social-security-disability.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-2812871739060133798Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:27:00 +00002009-10-05T13:31:10.329-04:00Every teacher should aware that in a class of 40, at least two children are likely to have have ADHD symptoms. While there are some basic facts, included here, that all teachers should know, they should strive to educate themselves as much as possible about the condition to ease classroom life for all involved.Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition in which an individual's brain http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/every-classroom-has-adhd-every-teacher.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-6127873759201937112Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:05:00 +00002009-10-02T10:16:52.520-04:00The chances of being approved for disability depend upon your medical and/or mental impairment and residual functional capacity, as well as what level within the disability process your claim is at.Lets start with medical impairments and residual functional capacity. Social Security defines disability as a medical determinable mental or medical condition that has prevented you from working for http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/chances-of-being-approved-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-238917709420372359Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:57:00 +00002009-10-02T09:59:27.268-04:00There has not been a new FDA approved drug for Lupus since the 1950s. Due to Lupus being a rare and quite misunderstood disease, commercials sponsors have had no (financial) interest in testing drugs for Lupus, leaving 1.5 million Americans in chronic pain and confusion about their disease. Thankfully, a new drug is being developed by Human Genome Sciences that may lead to Lupus treatment.Lupus http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/10/high-hopes-for-new-lupus-treatment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-4170560399804625437Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:13:00 +00002009-09-29T08:29:38.855-04:00Social Security manages two disability programs in which monetary monthly disability benefits are payable to individuals with severe impairments. If an individual is found to be disabled and unable to perform substantial and gainful work activity following a medical evaluation by the state disability agency in a particular state (in most states, this is known as DDS, or disability determination http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/social-security-awards-ssd-and-ssi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-3481707993667225603Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:24:00 +00002009-09-24T10:29:46.867-04:00If you are approved for Social Security Disability at any level you will be sent an award notice. If your disability claim is approved at the initial level, you will receive an award notice once the disability examiner finds you disabled and returns your disability claim to your local Social Security office. All disability claim decisions are returned to the local Social Security office for http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/if-you-are-approved-for-disability.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-4052460548158345606Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:21:00 +00002009-09-24T10:22:24.391-04:00Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder 1 are both mental illnesses and can sometimes be confused with each other. In actuality, schizophrenia is actually a group of brain disorders that can cause delusions, disordered thinking and hallucinations, while bipolar 1 disorder is characterized by mood instability and involves manic moods, with or without subsequent depressive episodes. Even though these http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/new-approved-drug-to-treat-both.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-3214608725820437245Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:06:00 +00002009-09-21T16:07:44.747-04:001) Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a brain disorder that affects the central nervous system. It is a movement disorder, a degenerative disorder, and both progressive and chronic.2) Patients with PD experience shaking, decelerated physical movement, muscle stiffness, and are physically unbalanced. They may also display depression, muted and sluggish speech, and a slow-moving, shuffling walk.3) http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/seven-facts-about-parkinsons-disease.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-7484671209791200547Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:34:00 +00002009-09-21T16:03:56.634-04:00Just because you file a disability claim with Social Security there is no guarantee that you will be found disabled. So what can you do to prove your disability case? If you feel that you are unable to perform substantial work activity due to some type of medical and/or mental condition, you may be able to be found disabled by Social Security if you have objective medical evidence that supports http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/not-sure-if-you-will-be-found-disabled.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-2742651809248555237Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:42:00 +00002009-09-17T11:46:32.924-04:001) Most agoraphobics are likely to avoid public places, open spaces, and places that they fear might trigger a panic or anxiety attack. The most popular places that cause fear for agoraphobics are cars, airplanes, sporting events, malls, bridges, any place with a lot of people or lines of people, and elevators.2) Symptoms for agoraphobia are overdependence on others, fear of being alone, fear of http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/eight-things-to-know-about-agoraphobia.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-2450647259067832245Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:08:00 +00002009-09-17T11:27:50.468-04:00To file for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) you must complete three forms. Form SSA 3368 is used to gather information about sources of medical treatment; i.e., physicians, hospitals, mental health institutions, etc., as well as your work history. Your work history should include a description of any jobs you have held within the past 15 years, with as much http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/what-sort-of-forms-are-used-to-file-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-3550234678557715420Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:38:00 +00002009-09-14T17:53:39.352-04:00Without a doubt, if your treating physician or treating psychiatrist is supportive of your claim for social security disability or claim for SSI disability, that's a good thing. However, there are several things to keep in mind with a subject like this. 1. Your doctor doesn't make the decision on your disability case. The disability examiner who reviews your claim will attempt to get records fromhttp://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/will-i-get-disability-if-my.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-3013306623207323249Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:34:00 +00002009-09-14T17:36:47.039-04:001) Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine and can be classified as idiopathic, congenital, or as a symptom of another spinal condition such as spinal muscular atrophy, cerebral palsy, or spina bifida. 2) There are three different categories of scoliosis: dextroscoliois, levoscoliosis, and rotoscoloiosis. Dextroscoliosis refers to scoliosis with a right side convexity, while levoscoliosis http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/eight-things-about-scoliosis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-5848068062599499007Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:20:00 +00002009-09-10T17:26:46.877-04:00Yes and no...and yes. Actually, anything that a social security disability representative, attorney or otherwise (Note: you can be represented by a non-attorney claimant's representative and sometimes these reps are former disability examiners such as myself, or former SSA field office claims representatives), charges must be delineated in a fee agreement that is approved by the social security http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/do-disability-lawyers-have-set-amount.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-4908034497692443689Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:20:00 +00002009-09-04T09:21:42.079-04:00You cannot collect both Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time. If you are of retirement age, you can, however, file for both SSD and Social Security retirement at the same time. If you are approved for disability benefits, you will be paid the higher amount, usually the SSD amount, rather than the retirement benefit. If your applicationhttp://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/are-you-allowed-to-collect-social.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-6265878194351613881Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:28:00 +00002009-09-03T09:11:39.077-04:00Here's an excerpt from the page on Disability Secrets that discusses the disability approval criteria established in the blue book (the social security manual that provides specific criteria for a number of medical impairments, though certainly not all impairments) for hepatitis. As always, of course, it should be noted that most applicants for SSD and SSI benefits who are approved are not http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/09/applying-for-social-security-disability.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553302674668121979.post-328375309806224000Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:37:00 +00002009-08-31T12:39:58.321-04:00Someone recently wrote in a forum that they had decided to apply for disability earlier this year and were quite frustrated at not having heard an answer yet. They concluded their statements by writing that they had paid into the social security system for many years and were entitled to their disability benefits.Well, to address that, yes, if a person has paid into the federal system via fica http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/08/entitlement-to-disability-means.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dnews)