Social Security Disability Benefits and Diabetes
Diabetes refers to a disorder where the body is not able to convert food into energy that is necessary for routine activities. This disorder is characterized by low levels of insulin which is a hormone that is produced by pancreas and plays a significant role in transporting glucose to cells. When insulin secretion lacks; glucose levels in the blood increases. Also termed as “sugar”, diabetes is a disorder that is quite a serious condition affecting the entire body. Diabetes mellitus is a result of lacking responsiveness to insulin.
Types and symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is basically of two types: type I (insulin dependent), that results from autoimmune response and type II (non – insulin dependent). While the former is more severe, the latter is more common. Diabetes insipidus is a disorder that is relatively rare and where kidneys produce huge volumes of urine (dilute). One form of this condition is gestational in nature. This implies that the condition usually develops in women while they are pregnant. Signs of diabetes include blurry vision, irritability, unusual weight loss, hunger, fatigue, urination, excessive thirst etc. Heredity and other factors are responsible for the onset of diabetes.
SSD Claim approval for diabetes
When you have diabetes and find it difficult to engage in employment and this period has or is expected to last for over twelve months, you may become eligible for receiving SSD (social security disability) benefits. In a nutshell, claimants who suffer from diabetes insipidus are approved for SSD benefits when medical documentation pertaining to urine specific gravity of less than or equal to 1.005 are provided. This test should provide results for at least three months. On a more comprehensive manner, those with neurohypophyseal insufficiency get their claim approved when one or more of the following symptoms are observed
(1) Neuropathy exhibited by persistent and considerable motor function disorganization in a minimum of two extremities causing continued disturbance in dexterous movements, function or gait.
(2) Visual impairment and retinitis proliferans. Also termed as diabetic retinopathy, where there is considerable loss of peripheral vision.
(3) Acidosis happening at least once for every two months on an average. Appropriate blood chemical tests should document this condition.
Although specific symptoms for diabetes are featured in the list of impairments manual, only very few claimants get their claim approved on the basis of diabetes alone. As a matter of fact, most initial claims get easily rejected. But with the help of an experience social security disability attorney, your claim can be approved under medical vocational allowance. This allowance takes into consideration not just diabetes but other associated conditions such as arthritis, kidney dysfunction, coronary artery disease, hypertension etc.
The need for having a legal support and counsel is important because the social security administration does not offer adequate consideration to such claims. The presence of certain grey areas in the evaluation process makes it all the more complicated. But when you have appropriate legal representation; chances of winning the case increases.
