If you have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and serious health problems related to diabetes, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if you are no longer able to work.
But qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits is difficult. Fewer than 40% of applicants obtain benefits with a single application, and only about 50% of applicants who appeal the initial denial are ultimately approved. If you are applying for SSD benefits based on complications from diabetes, you will have a better chance of success with the assistance of an experienced SSD benefits attorney.
At Kraft & Associates P.C., our experienced Dallas SSD lawyers handle claims on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay unless we help you obtain disability benefits. Call us today at (214) 999-9999 or contact us online for a free case review. Our Dallas SSD lawyers will work hard to assist you!
Eligibility Criteria for SSDI Benefits
If you have been employed and paid Social Security taxes for five of the last 10 years but are now totally disabled due to an illness or injury, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Benefits can range from $300 a month to more than $2,000 a month based on your income and your contributions to Social Security.
In most cases, you must prove to the Social Security Administration that you cannot perform your former job or any other type of gainful work and that your disabling condition will last 12 months or longer or cause your death.
The easiest way to qualify is if your medical records show that your medical condition matches an impairment in the Social Security Administration’s Listing of Impairments. If your diagnosis matches a listed impairment, you will be considered disabled and receive benefits. If you cannot show a direct match, your medical records must persuade an SSDI evaluator that your injury or illness incapacitates you in a manner that is equivalent to a recognized impairment.
Diabetes itself is not listed in the Blue Book. Therefore, someone with diabetes must qualify as disabled because diabetes has caused other health complications that make it impossible to work for a living.
How Complications of Diabetes May Qualify as a Disability
Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) is the primary complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Hyperglycemia is caused by not having enough insulin in your body. If a diabetic’s body does not produce insulin as it should, the individual must typically take insulin on a daily basis to survive.
Chronic hyperglycemia leads to DM complications that may qualify as disabilities for SSD benefits alone or in combination, such as:
- Diabetic retinopathy – damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, which can result in leakage of blood into the eye and growth of abnormal new blood vessels, leading over time to vision loss or blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is evaluated under the Special Senses and Speech Impairment listings (2.00).
- Cardiovascular disease – a major cause of morbidity and mortality for individuals with DM, which may manifest as coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, or heart failure. Amputation and foot ulceration are common consequences of PAD. Cardiovascular disease is evaluated under the Cardiovascular System impairment listings. Amputation of an extremity is evaluated under the Musculoskeletal Disorders listings.
- Diabetic neuropathy – permanent nerve damage that can affect every organ system in the body and produce abnormal function or a loss of sensation in the affected nerve area distribution. The most common types are peripheral neuropathy affecting the feet, legs, or hands, and autonomic neuropathy affecting the heart and blood vessels, digestive system, and urinary tract. Autonomic neuropathy is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease in people with DM. Diabetic neuropathy is evaluated under the Neurological Disorders listings.
- Diabetic nephropathy – damage to the kidneys that is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Diabetic nephropathy is evaluated under the Genitourinary Disorders impairments listings.
Further potential complications of DM that may qualify an SSDI applicant for benefits include:
- Gastroparesis and ischemic bowel disease, which are evaluated under the Digestive System impairments listings.
- Slow-healing bacterial and fungal infections, which are evaluated under the Skin Disorders Impairments listings.
- Cognitive impairments, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, which are evaluated under the mental disorders impairments listings.
How a Lawyer Can Assist in SSDI Claims for Diabetes
A lawyer from Kraft & Associates in Dallas, Texas, can help you determine whether you qualify for SSDI benefits and ensure that you submit all the information that the Social Security Administration needs to make an evaluation. We will help you with your application and provide sound legal advice throughout the claim process.
If your initial application has been denied, you should discuss the situation with a knowledgeable SSDI attorney before you give up. Many valid claims are denied at first. A lawyer at Kraft & Associates can review your application, add more information to your medical record if needed, and then represent you throughout the appeals process.
Get Legal Help from the Experienced SSDI Lawyers Near You
The attorneys at Kraft & Associates, P.C., are available to answer any questions you have regarding Social Security Disability Insurance and your eligibility for benefits. The rules and regulations for obtaining SSD benefits are complex and confusing, especially if you are dealing with them for the first time. But mistakes or misunderstandings can cause you to miss out on benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Our attorneys and legal staff have an average of 25 years with the firm. We help disabled Dallas area residents seek the full benefits available to them. Please contact us at (214) 999-9999 or online for a free initial consultation.
