Diabetes affects about 38 million people in the United States, but not everyone experiences the condition in the same way. For some, diabetes symptoms can be managed through medication and monitoring, but other people may have complications of the disease that prevent them from working and earning a living.
Social Security diabetes disability benefits can provide the monthly income that you need when unable to work because of a disabling medical condition, such as diabetes. However, the application and approval process takes time and can be frustrating and overwhelming for claimants.
Taking on the disability claims process on your own can lead to unnecessary delays and could end with a denial of benefits unless you know what you’re doing. The Clauson Law Firm has devoted years to helping people throughout North Carolina and nationally navigate the disability claims process for all types of disabling physical and mental health conditions. Let them put their knowledge and skills to work getting you the benefits through SSD for diabetes that you need and deserve.
If you have been thinking about applying for SSD for diabetes, it’s essential to understand the medical evidence you’ll need to prove that you have a claim that meets the approval criteria for benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income programs. It’s not easy to do it on your own, but the helpful and compassionate disability benefits team at Clauson Law can make all the difference in the outcome.
The body’s primary source of energy, glucose, depends on insulin produced by the pancreas to be absorbed into cells. Diabetes occurs when your body produces too little or no insulin, so glucose remains in your bloodstream without being absorbed and used by the cells of your body. Elevated blood glucose levels can damage your kidneys, eyes, heart, and nerves.
The challenge when submitting diabetes SSD claims is in proving through medical records and other documentation that your medical condition causes your inability to work. Different people with a diabetes diagnosis may have symptoms and complications that are different in type and severity, so a diagnosis alone will not be sufficient to be approved for diabetes disability.
There are several types of diabetes, but the two most common ones are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system destroys insulin produced by the pancreas, resulting in little or no insulin to allow cells to absorb glucose. Typical treatment prescribed for type 1 diabetes is daily doses of insulin.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces insulin, but the amount is not enough to sustain normal blood glucose levels. Obesity or a family history of the disorder are the two common risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle and dietary changes may prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes.
Health problems associated with elevated blood glucose levels may damage the heart, kidneys, feet, and eyes. Long-term complications caused by diabetes include:
· Coronary artery disease
· Stroke
· Atherosclerosis
· Neuropathy
· Blindness
· Skin infections
· Amputations
· Hearing loss
Mental health disorders associated with living with long-term conditions attributable to diabetes include depression and anxiety.
The Social Security Administration has a definition of “disability” that it uses to evaluate claims for benefits through the SSDI and SSI programs. According to the definition, a person is disabled when they do not have the ability to engage in substantial gainful employment activity due to a medically diagnosable physical or mental impairment or a combination of impairments expected to result in the applicant’s death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
Short-term or partial disability would not meet the standard set by the SSA definition. A person with diabetes must have medical evidence proving their condition cannot be controlled and prevents them from working. Medical documentation to support diabetes SSD claims may include:
· Physical examination findings.
· Physician’s notes.
· Diagnostic imaging reports.
· Blood work and other lab results.
· Prescribed medications.
· Reports from specialists.
· Hospital records, if any.
A consistent, uninterrupted course of treatment must exist for approval of a claim for disability benefits. Gaps in taking prescribed medications or following treatment recommended by a healthcare provider could be a basis for denial of benefits.
The SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to review applications for disability benefits, including those based on a diabetes diagnosis. It’s essential to be aware that diabetes can be managed through prescribed medication, so the evaluation process focuses on the complications diabetes may cause.
The steps in the evaluation process include:
· If you are working, can you do so at a substantial gainful activity level? The SSA uses monthly earnings to make the determination. An SGA earnings amount serves as the threshold. For example, a person seeking benefits for blindness cannot earn more than $2,830 monthly. The SGA threshold for non-blind applicants is $1,690.
· Do you have a severe condition? A condition not expected to be long-term and keep you from doing work activities does not meet the disability definition.
· Do you have a condition that meets or medically equals a listed impairment? The SSA listing of impairments, or “Blue Book,” contains conditions considered severe enough to comply with the definition of disability.
The fourth step in the five-step process is to evaluate whether your medical condition keeps you from doing relevant work you did in the past five years. If you cannot, the fifth step assesses your ability to adjust to doing a different type of work available in the national economy, with consideration given to the limitations of your medical condition combined with your age, education, and work experience.
The SSA denies benefits after the initial application review to 62% of applicants. If you submitted a claim and received a denial notice in response, don’t give up. Reach out to Clauson Law to challenge it through the appeals process.
A multi-level appeals process gives you five opportunities to convert a denial of your claim into an award of the benefits you knew all along that you deserved. The steps in the appeals process include:
· Reconsideration: An examiner who was not involved in making the initial determination reviews the claim.
· Hearing with an administrative law judge: An unfavorable outcome from reconsideration may be appealed to the hearing level. Your Clauson Law disability attorney may present new evidence, including witnesses, in support of the claim.
· Appeals Council: Hearing decisions may be appealed by requesting review by an Appeals Council.
· Federal court review: A civil court action filed by Clauson Law asks a federal court judge to review the claim and the outcome.
The appeals process can end at any level if you receive an outcome that you’re willing to accept.
If diabetes takes away your ability to work, Social Security Disability benefits provide the financial assistance that you need and deserve. Reach out to Clauson Law for a free consultation.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
