Filing For Disability Benefits On The Basis Of Neuropathy
Is Neuropathy Enough To Qualify For Social Security Disability?
Neuropathy is a medical label that describes a group of neurological disorders of the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral neuropathy is described as an unbalanced function and arrangement of the peripheral motor sensory and autonomic neurons. An individual's symptoms depend upon the affected nerves: automonomic, motor or sensory and where they are located within the body.
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy that involve the motor nerves might include muscle weakness, loss of coordination, or loss of balance. If an individual's neuropathy involves sensory nerve damage, they might experience symptoms such as: numbness, tingling, burning, sensitivity to touch, or pain.
A common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes mellitus. Neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus affects all peripheral nerves and for that matter all organs and body systems. Diabetic neuropathy symptoms might include numbness and tingling of extremities, loss of sensation, muscle weakness, burning or electric pain sensations, and a variety of other symptoms that can affect nearly every body system. The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy generally develop slowly over several years. Diabetes is not the only cause of peripheral neuropathy, just the most common cause. Peripheral neuropathy may also be caused by other metabolic disorders, herpes zoster, HIV, nutritional deficiencies, toxins, cancer (directly or indirectly as a side effect of chemotherapy or radiation), immune disorders, or genetic disorders.
Whatever the cause, peripheral neuropathy can be a very debilitating condition that may affect every aspect of an individual's life, It can affect the ability to walk, stand, lift, or carry. Many individuals who suffer from severe peripheral neuropathy injure themselves without knowing it and this can lead to infections and amputations. Despite medical advancements in understanding the metabolic causes of neuropathy, most treatment methods have significant side effects, or are not very effective; most treatment is geared toward lessening the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
Some individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy have benefited from glucose control, systemic medications, and sometimes lidocaine patches if the peripheral neuropathy is localized. If an individual's neuropathy is caused by an underlying condition, the symptoms are often lessened with treatment of the underlying condition. In addition to these treatment methods, some individuals with peripheral neuropathy experience relief from their symptoms through acupuncture, interferential stimulation (medium frequency electrical stimulation of muscles and joints), cognitive therapy and even prescribed exercise routines.
Can an individual get Social Security disability on the basis of neuropathy? Yes, a person can get Social Security disability based upon neuropathy. However, most disability applicants will be awarded disability based on how severe their neuropathy is and the underlying cause of their peripheral neuropathy.
Additionally, when considering a disability approval based upon neuropathy, one must consider the fact that Social Security is based upon an individual's residual functional capacity not simply having a specific medical impairment. Therefore, neuropathy may be enough to be approved for disability provided that an individual's residual functional capacity is so severely restricted that in precludes substantial work activity.
There are a couple of ways an individual can be approved for Social Security disability on the basis of neuropathy. The "Disability Evaluation Under Social Security" handbook has (the blue book) two impairment listings that specifically deal with peripheral neuropathy. And if an individual meets or equals the criteria outlined in the impairment listings their disability claim may be approved.
The first impairment listing that evaluates neuropathy is under the Endocrine System section, which is listing 9.08, the listing for Diabetes mellitus. This listing requires that an individual have a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus with neuropathy demonstrated by significant and constant disorganization of motor function (tremor, paralysis, ataxia, or even involuntary movement) in two extremities that causes continued disorganization of fine and gross motor movements, or station (position) and gait (pace, walk, step, or way of walking).
The second impairment listing that evaluates neuropathy is in the Neurological System section, listing 11.14 for peripheral neuropathies. This listing states that an individual must have peripheral neuropathy that is characterized by severe persistent disorganization of motor function in two extremities, and that the motor function disturbance causes constant difficulties with regard to gross and dexterous motor function, gait, or station.
If an individual does not meet or equal criteria of these impairment listings, they may still be approved for Social Security disability. As I mentioned earlier, an individual may be approved for disability due to neuropathy if the condition has left them unable to perform work substantial gainful work activity. In fact, the majority of claims are approved not by meeting or equaling the requirements of a listing in the blue blook but via a combination of both medical and vocational factors known as a medical vocational allowance. When such a determination is made, it essentially means that social security has examined a claimant's medical history and work history and concluded that, based on their functional limitations, age, education, and work skills, that they do not possess the ability to return to their past work, or perform some type of other work, that they might otherwise be considered able to transition to.
