Claiming Social Security Disability Benefits for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) A detailed medical record review is vital in determining one’s eligibility for SSD benefits for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease / motor neuron disease affects the nerve cells and spinal cord. It appears in people who are over age 50 and there is no known cause for this condition 90% of the time, though 10% are genetic in origin. A progressive disease, ALS has no cure though its advancement can be slowed via medication and symptoms minimized through treatments. Medical Evidence Important to Claim Disability Benefits A person above the age of 18 diagnosed with ALS should qualify for social security disability benefits because this condition is included in SSA’s Listing of Impairments. The ALS diagnosis must be confirmed by medical record review. There is no single test that can establish the presence of ALS, and so the ALS listing provides that this diagnosis must be made in accordance with the generally accepted practices and clinical procedures used to diagnose this condition. The patient’s medical records must provide evidence for this. Recent news figured Melissa Kern affected by this condition and waiting for Social Security to consider her case positively. This forty-one-year-old woman is suffering from advanced stage ALS, which has almost crippled her. She has not received disability benefits from SSA and is facing considerable financial crush. She along with her family has moved in with her mother and father, as they were forced to sell their house. According to her husband Chris, they were denied social security disability benefits because Melissa left her workplace when she was just 18 months short of having the necessary credits. She had to leave because of the symptoms of ALS. They could not get Medicaid or Medicare because of that, and though they kept appealing to social security they were constantly turned down. Now, finally they have been contacted by SS officials who agreed to reopen their case and find out if they could get benefits.
The SSA will review the applicant’s medical records and look for a specific ALS diagnosis. They will want to look at:
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A history of the patient’s symptoms
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ALS diagnosis and neurological findings that are consistent with it
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Nerve conduction studies or electromyography (not mandatory, but would help if they support the diagnosis)
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Neuroimaging and electrophysical test results that rule out other conditions
A Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Help In cases such as the above a disability lawyer can help claimants fight for the benefits due to them. The review and analysis of medical records is vital in determining a claimant’s eligibility for SS disability benefits. Assisted by efficient medical review services, disability lawyers collect, organize and evaluate the relevant medical records that prove the patient’s condition. Claimants can directly apply for disability benefits by contacting the Social Security Administration, and completing an application either via telephone or at their local SSA office. They can also apply online for SSDI benefits based on ALS at www.ssa.gov. If approved for SSDI benefits, they should become eligible for Medicare immediately instead of waiting 2 years. A disability attorney will provide applicants with the best possible chance of obtaining a disability approval from Social Security. This is because the claimant’s application will be presented in the best light possible and the claim will be handled appropriately in keeping with the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances guidelines.