One of the most challenging things that may happen to a family is for a member to be seriously and chronically disabled. The inability of a breadwinner to earn an income due to illness or injury forces families to make do with less money. Social Security Disability benefits hardly cover lost wages. And sadly, this is a situation that millions of people face yearly.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a simple definition of “disabled” under its rules and a complicated procedure to assess if you are disabled. Consequently, while the criteria and the procedure are consistent, the evaluation results vary depending on the nature of the assessed medical issue.
Causes of Disability Claims
Everyone hopes they never have to deal with a disability. The odds of it happening to us increase as we get older, make poorer lifestyle decisions, and even in the jobs we choose. While most people think of someone with a disability as wheelchair-bound, disabilities can take many forms, some visible and some not. The most common impairments in disability cases are listed below.
1. Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue illnesses account for nearly a third of all disability claims. Symptoms of these conditions include discomfort in the neck, shoulders, back, or joints; tight or sore muscles and tendons; and pain in the feet, ankles, or hands.
In an IBS disability claim, problems like sciatica and herniated discs can make it impossible for people to sit, stand, or lie down without experiencing pain. Common musculoskeletal and connective tissue illnesses and conditions include back discomfort, degenerative disk, arthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatism.
2. Mental Issues
Depression and anxiety are frequent mental health issues that might interfere with a person’s productivity at work. Even though the symptoms of mental illness may not manifest physically, we must not dismiss the issue.
Even though most mental health conditions respond favorably to treatment, putting off seeking help can result in deteriorating symptoms that compromise one’s ability to function in every aspect of life.
3. Nervous System Conditions
Neurological problems are another group that frequently leads to disability insurance claims. Disabilities in both motor control and mental processing can result from diseases of the neurological system, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Because of the chronic nature of these conditions, it may be more challenging to convince a disability evaluation under social security officer that a claimant is truly disabled and deserves compensation.
Common problems of the neurological system usually respond well to treatments like physical therapy and medicines. However, maintaining a full- or even part-time employment schedule can be a tremendous challenge.
4. Cardiovascular Diseases
In the United States of America, it is estimated that cardiovascular disease claims one person’s life every forty seconds, on average. But for people who have problems with their cardiovascular systems and need operations and rehabilitation services, the time spent recovering can have a severe impact on their ability to make a living; it can prevent them from earning a paycheck and make it challenging for them to manage day-to-day activities.
For other types of disabilities like asthma, you can get in touch with reputable asthma lawyers to aid you in your claim.
5. Cancer
According to the statistics, 41% of men and 38% of women will get cancer at some point. There is no certain way to know if or when you will be diagnosed with cancer. While your family history and lifestyle choices can play a role, there is no way to eliminate the possibility altogether.
Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries can leave you sick, fatigued, and bedridden if you have cancer or a tumor. It may be very challenging, if not impossible, to fulfill your professional responsibilities at this time.
