Qualifying Physical Disabilities

At the disability hearing, the administrative law judge (ALJ) will usually ask a vocational expert a series of hypothetical questions. These questions will reflect, usually in varying degrees, the limitations contained in the record and the testimony that the judge wishes to consider. The vocational expert will state whether there are any jobs that someone with such limitations could perform. The case would then progress according to the hypothetical scenario chosen by the judge.

For instance, the hypothetical scenario the judge presents to the vocational expert might be something like, “Imagine a man who is capable of light work, but he has to periodically be allowed to sit down, and he can only lift 10 pounds.” Then the judge will ask, “Are there any jobs this man could perform?”

The expert may reply, “Yes, definitely. He could be a photo developer at CVS. He could be a surveillance systems monitor at a department store. He could perform a number of jobs.”

The first thing you may think is, “Well, I guess I could do those jobs. I never thought about anything like that.” Yet the important thing to realize — and to communicate to the judge — is that although you could do a certain job, you couldn’t do it all day. Or even if you could, you couldn’t do it five days in a row, day in and day out. You might be able to work such a job Monday and Tuesday, but by Wednesday you can’t get out of bed. Davis, Davis & Patterson can represent you at your hearing, advocating for your best interests and helping you recover disability benefits.

At Davis, Davis & Patterson, our lawyers will shepherd you and help you prepare for the disability hearing. Our mission is to help you present your case in the best possible light in order to obtain the benefits you need. For a free consultation, call our Rome office at 706-232-3090 or send us an email.

It’s critical to be prepared for your disability hearing because you will be in front of the administrative law judge for about 30 minutes (and for most of that time, he or she will likely be looking at a computer screen, not you). You may have the right testimony, but you need to present yourself and your case in a way that brings the full truth to light. Without understanding the issues, individuals may emphasize the wrong point or the wrong fact and end up sabotaging their cases.

A claimant may readily say, if asked whether he could handle a sit-down job, “Oh, I can do that, but where can I find a job like that?” and say it in good faith. But the whole truth may involve other considerations — like the difference between sitting and reclining (reclining is not allowed on the job); the implications of having to elevate your feet — how frequently, how high, how long at a time? (That may not be allowed on the job, either); how many days in a row could you do it — what about the bad days? (If you miss too many days a month, you are fired). These details can be crucial.

The answers to these questions can play a critical role in whether or not you can actually perform work-related activities. It can mean the difference between winning and losing a disability case. The attorneys at Davis, Davis & Patterson can help you prepare for your case, attend the hearing with you and represent you before the judge.

The lawyers at Davis, Davis & Patterson represent clients throughout North Georgia, so don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation today. Call our office at 706-232-3090 or contact us by email.

In the early steps of the disability benefits process, the Social Security Administration will look at whether or not your physical or mental condition meets a listing on its “listing of impairments.” The Social Security adjudicators often seem to think that if you don’t meet a listing, you’re not disabled. We know better. We understand that most people with conditions that prevent them from working do not meet one of these strict listings.

For instance, you may have well-controlled diabetes and yet still suffer from regular bouts of extreme fatigue. This can potentially prevent you from working 40 hours a week just as effectively as having a foot amputated (which is one of the ways to satisfy a listing).

We believe that to be successful in Social Security Disability law, an attorney must be compassionate, willing to listen and willing to learn.

He or she must also be knowledgeable about the Social Security Disability system and various medical conditions. Many cases are won simply because of pointing out some characteristic of that medical condition that correlates with the client’s testimony.

You can count on Davis, Davis & Patterson to provide you with the caring and skilled service you deserve. Schedule a free initial consultation about Social Security Disability for diabetes by calling us at 706-232-3090, or contact us by email.

ESRD is the only disability that automatically qualifies you for SSDI. It is extraordinarily rare that your claim for SSDI will be denied if you have ESRD. You must have proper medical documentation from your nephrologist and dialysis unit to prove that you have CKD/ESRD and require dialysis. Whether you chose hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, the life-sustaining treatments will be time-consuming. While some kidney patients do want to continue work, many others are unable. Dialysis treatments do help filter waste and toxins from your system, but the treatment often wipes you out for several hours.

Our lawyers know that kidney disease is a draining and difficult condition. We are here to help you obtain the SSDI benefits that you require. Talk to us today in a free consultation. We can be reached at 706-232-3090 or you can contact us online.

Our lawyers can help show that you qualify for SSDI. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that claimants prove that:

• They are earning less than $1,040 a month and/or unemployed.
• Their arthritis severely restricts their ability to do most jobs that require walking, sitting, standing, lifting and otherwise carrying out instructions.
• Their arthritis meets or equals a medical listing, exemplified with persistent swelling, pain and limitation of joints in the hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows, wrists or hands.
• They are unable to perform the work they once did.
• Their age, education, work experience and physical condition prevents the individual from working.

Arthritis can be a painful and debilitating condition. If you are unable to work because of arthritis, our firm can help you obtain the SSD benefits that you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with our lawyers, please call us at 706-232-3090 or contact us online.

Social Security’s blue book lists impairments that automatically qualify an individual for SSD benefits. Contained in the neurological disorders section for MS, it must be shown that you experienced at least one of the following:

• Difficulty walking or using your hands, including having partial paralysis or tremors
• Vision loss that cannot be corrected
• Memory loss, decreased IQ, mood disturbance or other organic mental disorder
• Severe fatigue and muscle weakness
  

Your physician will be integral to helping you fulfill the listing requirements. It is important that you obtain adequate medical documentation. Our lawyers can help gather this information and review the information prior to submitting your application to Social Security.

Multiple sclerosis can progress to the point where you are unable to work. Davis, Davis & Patterson is here to help you obtain the benefits that you need. We offer free initial consultations. Call 706-232-3090 or contact us online.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress injury that occurs when the median nerve running from the forearm to the palm is compressed at the wrist. People from many occupations suffer from carpal tunnel, including assembly line workers, cashiers, hair stylists and those who routinely use a computer keyboard.

If you experience pain, numbness and other symptoms of carpal tunnel, your suffering alone will not qualify you for benefits. You must have documented medical evidence of your condition and must be able to convince Social Security Administration (SSA) officials that your condition prohibits you from working.

The good news? You do not have to face this process alone. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling SSDI claims for those suffering from carpal tunnel and are here to handle all aspects of your claim and any necessary appeals. We know what evidence is likely to sway SSA officials and can help you make the most compelling argument possible.

To learn how we can help you pursue SSDI benefits for carpal tunnel syndrome, contact our law offices online or by telephone at 706-232-3090.

If you suffer from any of the following types of heart disease, you may qualify for SSDI benefits (note, this list is not exhaustive):

In order to be approved for benefits, you must provide the SSA with documented evidence that you suffer from heart disease and your condition prevents you from working. Evidence of heart disease may come from electrocardiograms (EKGs), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), stress tests and other medical evaluations. Remember, the SSA will only take your claim seriously if you get treated for your condition and follow your doctor’s orders.

We are here to handle all of the legal details of filing your claim and, if necessary, appealing a denied claim. We have more than 80 years of combined experience in disability law and a proven record of success obtaining favorable results for our clients.

The process of getting approved for SSDI benefits is not easy, but you don’t have to face it alone. Let us take the red tape and legal struggle off of your hands so you can focus on your treatment. To arrange a free initial consultation with one of our experienced attorneys in Rome, Georgia, please call our law offices at 706-232-3090 or contact us online.

Chronic pain most often arises from physical impairments such as peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome or fibromyalgia, but can also be linked to mental health impairments. The SSA will consider chronic pain syndrome claims if the condition can be linked to a qualifying impairment.

The important factors in pursuing an SSDI claim are getting treatment for your chronic pain and obtaining documented evidence that you have a qualifying condition. Descriptions of your pain and how it affects you are important, but you must also obtain evidence from objective medical tests such as X-rays, MRIs and CAT scans.

Our attorneys can guide you through all aspects of this process, making sure you obtain the evidence you need to convince Social Security Administration (SSA) officials that you are truly disabled. We work with clients from all walks of life and a broad range of occupations. We will work with you personally to gain an understanding of your disability and how it impacts your ability to work.

You don’t have to face this process alone. We are here to share our knowledge about disability benefits for chronic pain syndrome. To arrange your free initial consultation with an experienced SSDI attorney in Rome, Georgia, contact our law offices online or by telephone at 706-232-3090.