 SSDRC Filing a Social Security Disability Application - How to File & the Information that is Needed by SSA Do you need a Lawyer at the Administrative Law Judge Disability Hearing? Social Security Disability Back pay and How Long it Takes to Qualify for it How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition? What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of benefits If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare? How much is paid for the Social Security Disability Attorney Fee? How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability? How To Get Disability Through SSDI or SSI Approved Should you get Help from a Disability Attorney before the Claim has been Denied? Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability Qualifying for Disability - What is Social Security Looking for? How do I check the status of my Social Security disability claim? What Expenses Will A Social Security Attorney Charge In Addition To The Fee? |
Facts about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Filing for DisabilityHow to prove you are disabled and win disability benefits 1. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in the underside of the wrist when inflammation causes pressure on the nerve. 2. It is a misconception that large amounts of computer use are the primary cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Repetitive motions of flexing and extending the wrists, like when typing, can be a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. But there are several other causes. 3. Carpal tunnel syndrome is also caused by inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, as well as hormonal conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders and pregnancy or menopause. Wrist and arm injuries can lead to the condition as well. Physical characteristics of the wrist and genetic makeup are considered the primary risk factors for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. 4. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome begin gradually and get progressively worse over time if the condition is not recognized and treated. Numbness, burning and tingling are the primary symptoms, whereas experiencing only pain in the wrist is a signifier of a different problem. 5. Symptoms of numbness and tingling occur in the hand, particularly the thumb and first two fingers, rather than the wrist. Symptoms tend to be worse after sleeping, and as a result those with carpal tunnel syndrome commonly experience disrupted sleep. Many feel as though their hands and wrists are weak and they have a tendency to drop things. 6. Due to the prevalence of office jobs and computer usage at work, carpal tunnel syndrome is sometimes considered worthy of providing time off and compensation to employees with the condition. This is controversial because it is unclear whether these repetitive tasks in the work environment cause the condition or simply exacerbate symptoms. 7. Since carpal tunnel syndrome includes inflammation, over the counter pain killers like aspirin can be effective at alleviating symptoms. Inflammation may also be treated with injections of cortisone. Splints are usually necessary while sleeping. Frequent rest breaks and ice can help with symptoms and swelling. 8. If carpal tunnel syndrome progresses to severe nerve problems where symptoms occur almost all the time, carpal tunnel release surgery may be needed. Results from surgery are usually positive. Can you qualify for disability benefits with this condition? Whether or not you qualify for disability and, as a result, are approved for disability benefits will depend entirely on the information obtained from your medical records. This includes whatever statements may have been obtained from your treating physician (a doctor who has a history of treating your condition and is, therefore, qualified to comment as to your condition and prognosis). It will also depend on the information obtained from your vocational, or work, history if you are an adult, or academic records if you are a minor-age child. The important thing to keep in mind is that the social security administration does not award benefits based on simply having a condition, but, instead, will base an approval or denial on the extent to which a condition causes functional limitations. Functional limitations can be great enough to make work activity not possible (or, for a child, make it impossible to engage in age-appropriate activities). Why are so many disability cases lost at the disability application and reconsideration appeal levels? Speaking as a former Disability Claims Examiner, I can state that there are several reasons: 1) Social Security makes no attempt to obtain a statement from a claimant's treating physician. By contrast, at the hearing level, a claimant and his or her disability attorney will generally obtain and present this type of statement to a judge; 2) Prior to the hearing level, a claimant will not have the opportunity to explain how their condition limits them, nor will their attorney or representative have the opportunity to make a presentation based on the evidence of the case. At the hearing level, of course, this is exactly what happens. And a number of disability representatives will also take such steps even earlier, at the reconsideration appeal level; 3) Disability judges, unlike disability examiners who decides cases at the first two levels of the system, can make independent decisions without being overturned by immediate supervisors--which happens frequently. 
Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page Topics and Questions Other Links SSD and SSI are Federal Programs The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here: Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials |