Disability Advocates of Central California, Inc.

Can Eczema qualify for disability? ASK THE ADVOCATE: I am 25 years old and I have the worst case of eczema known on earth! Mostly it’s on my hands. They are so bad that the skin cracks and leaks. I can’t bend my fingers. I need help even getting dressed because my hands are so bad. My doctor has given me creams and sometimes a round of steroids, but nothing helps. Can I qualify? ANSWER: It’s not a slam dunk, but it sounds like you have a severe case. Atopic dermatitis...Continue reading

CAN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY? ASK THE ADVOCATE: My doctor just told me that they finally figured out what is wrong with me! I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have joint swelling in my hands and feet. Sometimes I can’t even get out of bed. I have not been able to work since late 2019. Can I quality for benefits? ANSWER: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is diagnosed by blood tests and X-rays. There is a specific blood test for the disease called rheumatoid facto...Continue reading

Can a brain injury qualify for disability? Social security identifies a traumatic brain injury (TBI) under Listing 11.18. A TBI may result in neurological and mental impairments with a wide variety of posttraumatic symptoms and signs. The rate and extent of recovery can be highly variable, and the long-term outcome may be difficult to predict in the first few months post-injury. Generally, the neurological impairment will stabilize more rapidly than any mental impairment an...Continue reading

ures Act, the federal government will soon mandate that all healthcare providers offer patient access to clinical notes. The portion of the law, which goes into effect on November 2, 2020, comes as a part of the Final Interoperability Rule released by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT in the first half of March. Specifically, the Final Rule outlaws any kind of information blocking, and this includes blocking of patient data access. Starting in the beginning...Continue reading

CAN MIGRAINE HEADACHES QUALIFY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABLITY? QUESTION: I am 33 years old and have had migraine headaches since I was 16. I have had MRI’s of my brain, I’ve taken medication, I’ve even tried acupuncture. I still get migraine headaches 2 to 3 times a week. I can hardly move my head when I get one. Medication works sometimes but it is very expensive, and the doctor only gives me 10 pills a month. Light and sound is especially hard as it makes me nauseated....Continue reading

CAN CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE QUALIFY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY? QUESTION: My rheumatologist just told me I have fibromyalgia and he called it connective tissue disease. He is sending me out for more testing to determine what I have. I have not been able to work since 2019 due to fibryo fog severe fatigue. I also have muscle and joint pain and stiffness, weakness, and many other symptoms. He is also telling me I should file for disability but I’m only 35 years ol...Continue reading

Can Addison’s Disease Qualify for Social Security Disability? In humans, the adrenal glands sit right at the top of the kidneys. The main function of these glands is to produce a number of hormones that regulate a multitude of body functions. The result of too little cortisol and often too little aldosterone. The symptoms of Addison’s Disease may include darkening of the skin, weight loss, muscle fatigue, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, depression, nausea, diarrhea, and... low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Addison's disease can also occur suddenly, and is then called acute adrenal failure or addisonian crisis. The prominent symptom of addisonian crisis is pain in the abdomen, lower back and/or legs with dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea, low blood pressure and fainting, and possibly severity of other Addison's disease symptoms. Addisonian crisis can be fatal and requires immediate hospitalization for intravenous treatment with hydrocortisone, saline and sugar. Addison's disease can be treated through taking daily hormone replacements orally to correct the deficiencies, in doses based on each individual's needs. Dosage changes are likely needed when the body faces stress, including viruses and infections. Taking the correct dosage will help keep symptoms in check. Diagnosis comes after a variety of tests including blood testing for levels of indicators such as sodium, cortisol levels and testing, blood sugar testing, and CT and MRI imaging scans of the adrenal and pituitary glands. Addison’s disease is considered under the disability listing for endocrine disorders because it is a type of adrenal gland disorder. The listing for endocrine disorders is a bit different than other disability listings that include specific impairment requirements to qualify for disability. Instead, the endocrine disorder listing refers to disability listings for other major body systems that are affected by the disorders. It is very important that you tell your doctors about all the symptoms and disabilities you are experiencing and make sure your medical records include a diagnosis, prognosis, and complete description of your limitations that result from Addison’s disease, including physical, neurological, cognitive, and psychological impairments. Your medical records will be the primary source of information used in your case, and if you fail to mention any symptoms, limitations, or disabilities to your doctor, or if the doctor neglects to record them, they won’t be included. You should make sure your doctor records everything you tell him/her. Many people suffer from multiple symptoms that make it impossible to work. SSA will determine if the combination of impairments is sufficiently disabling to keep you from returning to work.