Do you suffer from diabetes mellitus that interferes with your ability to work? The Social Security Disability Administration recognizes diabetes as the basis for a Social Security disability claim.

Section 9.08 Diabetes Mellitus of the Listing of  Impairments requires that you submit medical documentation:

A.  Neuropathy demonstrated by significant and persistent disorganization of motor function in two extremities, resulting in sustained disturbance of gross and dexterous movements, or gait and station;

B.  Acidosis occurring at least on the average of once every two months, documented by appropriate blood chemical tests;

C.  Retinitis proliferans

Winning a Social Security Disability claim based on diabetes  requires extensive medical documentation.  If you need assistance with your Social Security claim, contact St. Petersburg Social Security disability lawyers, Sharon Barrett or Nancy Cavey. They have extensive experience in handling Social Security disability claims for diabetics and have written the go to book for Social Security Disability applicants, “Your Rights to Social Security Disability.” 

Hypo-parathyroidism and Your Social Security Disability Claim

Your thyroid is the thermostat of your body. If it isn’t working properly, your body can be to cold hypothyroidism is caused by under activity of your thyroid gland.  You may have a key, cramps, slowed heart rate, weight gain and mental sluggishness.

Hypothyroidism can be caused by a disease known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.  The body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland.  Other causes include congenital problems, surgical removal of the thyroid clam, or irradiation of the gland.

Section 9 of the Listing of impairments Entertainment System Impairments recognizes hypothyroidism as a disabling condition. Listing 9.04 requires that you have severe recurrent tetany; or recurrent generalized convulsions; or, lenticular cataracts.

You are impairment must be caused by the under production of hormones that results in structural or functional changes in your body.  It can also involve other organ systems.

Winning a Social Security Disability claim based on hypoparathyroidism, requires extensive medical documentation.  If you need assistance with your Social Security claim, contact Nancy Cavey and Sharon Barrett, Tampa Bay based attorneys who are experienced and handling Social Security disability claims arising out of hyperparathyroidism or other and other endocrine conditions

Tampa Social Security Disability Backlog Is Among  The Worst

The Tampa Social Security disability office has one of the worst backlogs in the country with over 5103 cases pending for over 900 days!

Representative Kathy Castor introduced a bill into Congress on July 14 to address the nation wide backlog of Social Security disability claims.  The bill would require that a hearing be held within 60 and 75 days from the date of the request and then a final verdict be given no more than 15 days after hearing.

Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue announced new steps to reduce that backlog. As of October 1, 2008, all new hearing requests from outside the Tampa – St. Petersburg area will be sent to the Fort Lauderdale office.  A new Social Security disability Judge for the Tampa office should be selected in the near future and that will help with the backlog.

Congratulations to Representative Kathy Castor for her efforts to help reduce the Social Security hearing delays in Tampa. For assistance with your Social Security disability claim, please contact  Tampa Bay Social Security disability lawyer Sharon Barrett at  caveylaw.com.

Do you know someone who has suffered electrical, chemical or thermal burns? These are often horrific injuries that can affect  bones, muscles, breathing, and even the function of  the heart and kidneys.

The Social Security Administration evaluates a claim for Social Security Disability Benefits for burns by looking the predominant features of the impairment by body system. The starting point is Listing of Impairments-Section 8 and 8.08. Remember the  disability must last or be expected to last for at least 12 continuous months.

If you have any questions about filing an application for Social Security Disability Benefits for Burns, please contact Cavey & Barrett, your Tampa Bay based Social Security Disability attorneys.

Being disabled does not always constitute a physical problem one may have. Depression and other mental health conditions can be very disabling and Social Security recognizes this.

Mental conditions, and in combination with physical problems, are considered by Social Security as grounds for finding someone disabled.

If you are suffering from a disabling mental condition the first step, and the most important, is to see a psychiatrist. Even though a primary care doctor can take care of the essentials by prescribing anti-depressants and a legitimate diagnosis of depression/other mental health conditions, Social Security gives more weight to the opinions and records of a psychiatrist.

If you have any questions about your  entitlement to Social Security Benefits for depression and other mental health conditions, contact Sharon Barrett or Nancy Cavey, your Social Security Disability benefits’ lawyers.

Do you know that you can file a Social Security disability application for bullous disease under Listing 8.03?

You can view the listing by clicking here:

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/8.00-Skin-Adult.htm#8.03%20Bullous%20disease 

According to an article about autoimmune bullous skin disease found  at

http://autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/artilce.cfm/autoimmune    

the “disease is characterized by the presence of blisters or erosions of the skin and mucous membranes.” This skin disease can be acquired, induced or maybe autoimmune in nature.  This skin disorder is more likely to occur in women.

The Social Security administration wants to see extensive skin lesions that persist for at least three months despite continuing treatment.  If your condition does not meet or  equal the severity of a listing, the potential vocational impact of this disease must be considered in determining your entitlement to Social Security disability benefits.

Contact Nancy Cavey, a St. Petersburg Social Security Disability Attorney for more information regarding your Social Security application for bullous disease.

What is irritable bowel disease? Let’s start with the basics.

The digestive system includes your stomach, large and small intestines, and rectum. Its job is to digest the foods, turn the food into nutrients and absorb these nutrients into the bloodstream to fuel our bodies.

It’s estimated that up to 1 million Americans have inflammatory bowel disease.

As an article found at http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/digestive/ibd.html

points out “inflammatory bowel disease (which is not the same thing as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS) refers to two chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the intestines: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.”

Although “the diseases have some features in common, there are some important differences.Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine, also called the colon. In ulcerative colitis, the inner lining - or mucosa - of the intestine becomes inflamed (meaning the lining of the intestinal wall reddens and swells) and develops ulcers (an ulcer is a sore, which means it’s an open, painful wound). Ulcerative colitis is often the most severe in the rectal area, which can cause frequent diarrhea. Mucus and blood often appear in the stool (feces or poop) if the lining of the colon is damaged.

Crohn’s disease differs from ulcerative colitis in the areas of the bowel it involves - it most commonly affects the last part of the small intestine (called the terminal ileum) and parts of the large intestine. However, Crohn’s disease isn’t limited to these areas and can attack any part of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease causes inflammation that extends much deeper into the layers of the intestinal wall than ulcerative colitis does. Crohn’s disease generally tends to involve the entire bowel wall, whereas ulcerative colitis affects only the lining of the bowel.”

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can include recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea, alternating periods of constipation.

It can prevent you from steady work at recreational and social activities. It also can cause a significant amount of emotional stress and anxiety. It can be the basis for an award of Social Security disability benefits.

If your irritable bowel disease does not need a Listing under Section 5, Digestive System Impairments, it is important that your physician complete the appropriate residual functional capacity questionnaire for your disease process. You must fully develop the medical evidence about your disease, its complications, your treatment, and its impact on your ability to function on a daily basis.

You can view the listing by clicking here:

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/5.00-Digestive-Adult.htm#5_06 

Cavey and Barrett, experienced Social Security Disability attorneys in Tampa Bay, can help you with your social security disability application for irritable bowel disease.

Your thyroid is your body’s thermostat. The thyroid is a gland in your neck that produces hormones  that are needed by your body to work properly. There are 2 kines of hormones - T4 is called thyroxine and T3 is called tridothyronine.

If your body produces too much T4 and T3, your body gets overheated which is called hyperthyroidism.  One of the common causes is Graves’ disease.

Are you hot without any reasons? Have unexplained weight loss or gain? Problems sleeping? Hands that tremble? Irregular heart beat? Shortness of breath? You might have hyperthyroidism.

Section 9, Listing of  Social Security Impairments Endocrine System requires that any thyroid Social Security disability claim be evaluated based on the affected body system.

If you have any questions about your  entitlement to Social Security Benefits for Thyroid Disorders, contact Sharon Barrett or Nancy Cavey, your Social Security Disability benefits lawyers. They can assist you with your application for Social Security disability benefits for hyperthyroidism.

The Social Security Administration recognizes ulcerative colitis as a listed condition under listing 5.06, Digestive system impairments. Click here for the  listing

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/5.00-Digestive-Adult.htm#5_06

Ulcerative colitis is a inflammation and ulceration of large intestine which causes thickening and scarring of the colon. You colon cannot properly taking excess fluid from your feces. Complications can include abscesses around the anus, cancer and colon rupture.

The Mayo Clinic has a great article on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of ulcerative colitis that can be found at

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598

Listing of Impairments 5.06 requires a diagnosis of by endoscropy, barium enema, biopsy or operative findings. You must also have;

A. Recurrent bloody stools documented on repeated examinations and anemia manifested by hematocrit of 30% or less on repeated examinations;

B. Persistent or recurrent systemic manifestations, such as arthritis, iritis, fever, or liver dysfunction, not attributable to other causes;

C. Intermittent obstruction due to intractable abscess, fistula formation, or stenosis; or

D. Recurrence of A,B,C after total colectomy; or

E. Weight Loss as described in Listing 5.08.

If you don’t need a listing for ulcerative colitis, you will need to develop the medical evidence of your exertional and non-exertional impairments by having your physician complete a Residual Functional Capacity form.

Social Security Disability Benefits can be won with the proper medical evidence. Cavey and Barrett, St. Petersburg, Florida social security disability attorneys can help you with you social security disability application.

According to an article from Wikedpedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis

hepatitis is an injury to the liver characterized by presence inflammatory cells in the liver which can progress to scarring of the liver. It is acute when it lasts less than 6 months and chronic when it persists longer. A group of viruses known as the hepatitis viruses cause most cases of liver damage. Hepatitis can also be due to toxins (notably alcohol), other infections or from autoimmue process. You can become symtomatic when the disease impairs liver functions that include, among other things, screening of harmful substances, regulation of blood composition, and production of bile to help digestion.

The Social Security Administration requires that you meet very stringent medical requirements to meet a Listing 5.05. More often than not, we will ask your physician to complete a Residual Functional Capacity form Chronic Active Hepatitis that will document your physical findings. explain your diagnostic studies including the results of your liver biopsy and the results of your blood-work.

Click here to view the listing:

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/5.00-Digestive-Adult.htm#5_05

Just as important are your physical capabilities and the problems that you have functioning every day. These can include fatigue, fuzziness, problems concentrating at the side effects of your medication. You can win a claim for Social Security disability benefits for chronic active hepatitis with the help of your treating physician and documentation of the problems you have functioning.

Contact Florida social security disability attorneys, Cavey and Barrett , for more information about a social security disability application for chronic active hepatitis.