Determining SSI/SSDI Benefits for Brain Disorders or Injuries

by | Apr 17, 2015 | Legal

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Claimants seeking social security disability benefits for brain disorders or injuries often can prove their need as daily activities can be severely impacted as result. Applicants who make claims may not be able to work full-time because of limitations related to nerve or muscle disorders, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, peripheral neuropathy or Parkinson’s disease.

Our team of SSDI/SSI lawyers can assist you in filing your claim and appealing it if necessary. We have helped people who possess brain disorders and injuries as well as neurological impairment obtain the total SSDI/SSI benefits they need.

Applicants who cannot work full-time because of neurological impairment or brain disorders often receive benefits as such conditions make it difficult for them to perform daily living tasks because of cognitive or physical impairment or as the result of pain. This symptomatology can be brought on by one of several kinds of neurological ailments or cerebral conditions.

Neurological and Brain Impairments

Impairments, such as traumatic brain injuries, organic brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease, or peripheral neuropathy are reviewed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in relation to the patient’s capacity to perform work, function at home and get along socially.

Organic and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Organic brain injuries or disorders represent mental impairments that result in a loss of cognitive skills or previously learned abilities or knowledge. These kinds of impairments are generally attributed to illness or trauma.

A traumatic brain injury, on the other hand, may impair nervous system functioning and may be represented post-traumatic symptoms. These kinds of brain impairments often occur as the result of an injury to the head or a stroke.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a condition that involves muscle movement and control. Trembling, slow movement, joint stiffness, and poor balance and coordination are typical symptoms of the disorder. When the SSA evaluates the disability, they look at how the impairment impacts the movement of the limbs and how a person’s ability to work full-time is affected as a result.

Peripheral Injuries

Injuries that involve the peripheral nerves involve the part of the nervous system that is found outside the spinal cord or brain. Therefore, impairments that involve peripheral neuropathy involve communication between the body and brain.

This kind of nerve damage often results from systemic diseases (such as alcoholism, hormone imbalances or kidney disease) or injury. Examples of conditions that are connected with the peripheral nervous system include carpal tunnel syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome or CRPS.

MS

MS or multiple sclerosis affects the nervous system, including the spinal cord and brain. The disorder, which results in balance and coordination problems, muscle weakness and physical and cognitive issues, frequently affects younger women.

The disorder causes limitations in one’s ability to see, walk or speak. To qualify for benefits, our lawyers will show, through medical records and documentation, how the condition has impaired vision, cognitive skills and motor functioning.

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