New Jersey Social Security Disability Law Blog

Does Sjogren's syndrome qualify for disability?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

You may have noticed changes in your body when you were about 40 but thought it was just part of growing older. Your mouth was always dry no matter how much water you drank. Your eyes felt like sandpaper despite the constant use of eyedrops. When you mentioned these symptoms to your doctor and dentist, they may have run some blood tests, suggested mouthwash or prescribed more powerful eye lubricant.

When more symptoms appeared and began interfering with your daily life, you persisted with your doctor. From that point, you may have visited dozens of specialists and undergone scores of tests to receive the diagnosis of Sjogren's Syndrome. Knowing your condition has a name may have been a comfort, but little else about the syndrome that is comforting, especially if it prevents you from earning a living.

Social Security Disability and disorganization of motor function

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability on Friday, February 15, 2019.

When New Jersey residents are suffering from a neurological disorder, it can be exceedingly problematic for them to work and function normally. This makes it necessary to consider whether they meet the benefits' requirements to get Social Security Disability (SSD). There are several factors that must be considered when filing for benefits including whether they meet the Social Security Administration's (SSA) criteria under disorganization of motor function and if they have extreme limitation. For these issues and more when seeking SSD benefits, having legal help is imperative.

The SSA will assess disorganization of motor function meaning interference in the movement of two extremities. This can be the upper and lower extremities with hands, fingers, wrists, arms, shoulders, legs, feet and more. It can be in any combination of extremities provided there are at least two. The person must be limited in his or her ability to stand when seated; or to balance when walking or standing; or to use the upper extremities.

Do multiple impairments impact Social Security disability?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability on Friday, February 8, 2019.

Many New Jersey residents who are ill, injured or suffer from a condition that prevents them from working will want to get Social Security disability benefits. These benefits can provide them with financial assistance and let them get the medical treatment they need. A critical factor toward getting an approval is to meet the federal requirements to be declared disabled. There are nuances to this that applicants and their family must understand. While many people have a singular issue that will warrant benefits, a vast proportion of people who believe they are disabled do not meet these benefits' requirements, but have several impairments. Not meeting the criteria with one issue will generally warrant a denial, however multiple impairments could be combined to get an approval.

If the person has severe impairments and they are unrelated, the Social Security Administration cannot combine two or more so the applicant meets the requirements of their condition lasting for the full 12-month duration. If there is a severe impairment and then another severe impairment arises, but they are not believed to last for 12 months, the SSA will not return a finding of disabled. When there are concurrent impairments, the SSA will assess them in combination and decide if they are severe. If the SSA expects one or more to improve in those 12 months so the combination of impairments is not severe, the person will not meet the requirements to be disabled.

Social Security disability evidentiary requirements: key points

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

For New Jersey residents who are suffering from an illness, condition or disability and believe its severity warrants Social Security disability benefits, there are certain facts that should be considered before moving forward with the application. The word "evidence" is mentioned frequently, but few are fully cognizant of what it truly means. It is imperative to remember that the foundational part of getting SSD benefits is the evidence. People who do not present their evidence in full might face a denied claim even if their issues warrant benefits.

The applicant must provide the evidence to show that he or she is impaired and it meets the necessary severity to get an approval. The Social Security Administration can assist in getting evidence from the person's medical sources. The applicant must give permission for this. The sources are required to have provided treatment, evaluated the person, and conducted examinations. Hospitals and other medical centers can provide evidence of the impairment.

How are skin disorders assessed when I seek disability benefits?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Illnesses on Friday, January 25, 2019.

New Jersey residents who suffer from skin disorders face an inordinate number of challenges. Their health and ability to work can be negatively impacted by their illness or condition. This is when it is important to understand the process to get Social Security disability benefits. One of the keys to being approved for disability is the Social Security Administration's assessment of the severity of the skin problem. As with any case in which a person is checking to see if criteria of qualifying SSD benefits for illness is met, legal help is important.

The SSA will assess the severity and use the frequency in which flare-ups occur with skin lesions, how the pain is a limiting factor, the treatment and its extent, and how the treatment affects the person. If there are extensive skin lesions, these will cover critical locations on the body or various sites. This will lead to severe limitation. These can prevent the full range of motion of a person's joints limiting the use of more than a single extremity. If they are located on the palms of the applicant's hands, this can stop them from performing various fine movements with their hands. If they are on the soles of the feet or other areas that prevent ambulation, this is imperative to the claim.

What are the requirements for SSD due to intellectual disorder?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Mental Conditions on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Having mental and developmental issues is not uncommon in New Jersey. For those who are suffering from mental limitations, it can be impossible to self-support. Fortunately, assistance is available through many sources. One of those sources is Social Security disability benefits for mental conditions. Regardless of the overall severity of the condition, it is important for the individual and his or her caregivers to understand what steps are necessary to be approved for SSD benefits. As with any case related to filing for disability benefits, having legal help is a must.

Mental limitations, sometimes historically referred to as "mental retardation," falls into the category of possessing an intellectual disorder. Individuals who suffer from this condition will have a significantly below average level of intellectual function. They have deficits in the ability to functionally adapt, too. These characteristics will manifest prior to age 22. These individuals might have problems with conceptual understanding, social comprehension, and practical skills.

Necessary documentation when applying for disability benefits

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur on Sunday, January 13, 2019.

Applying for disability benefits is not an easy process. Even applicants with serious, debilitating medical conditions often find they are not successful with their initial claims. The complexity of the process and the likelihood of a denied initial claim may keep you from pursuing the benefits you need and deserve.

If you are unable to work because of a medical condition or a serious injury, you could be eligible for benefits through the Social Security Administration. However, you may be reluctant to move forward with your claim due to fears about the process or confusion with the application and paperwork. It might be helpful to start with an explanation of what you will need to complete your claim and the documentation you will need to gather.

What evidence is needed for SSD benefits for cancer?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Illnesses on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

When New Jersey residents are diagnosed with certain forms of cancer, it can impact them in myriad ways. For many, they are unable to work as they are undergoing treatment or as a direct result of the disease. In these instances, it might be possible to be approved for Social Security disability benefits for illness.

When applying, there are certain points to remember concerning how the cancer is evaluated, what evidence is needed for the application for benefits to be approved, and how the treatment can impact the claim. With these cases, it is important to have legal help. With cancer, the Social Security Administration will consider the cancer's origin; how extensive the involvement is; the anticancer therapy, the person's response to it, and its duration and frequency; and how post-therapeutic impact the person.

Legal help with SSD benefits for Crohn's disease

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Illnesses on Friday, January 4, 2019.

It is unavoidable that New Jersey residents have seen the litany of commercials and other advertisements about dealing with Crohn's disease. Often, however, people are unaware of how severe the issue can be and the negative impact it can have on their lives. Not only can it hinder a person who wants to live a normal and active life with family and friends, but it can reach a level of severity that prevents them from working a regular job. In such a case, they might be eligible for Social Security disability benefits for illness. Understanding Crohn's disease and how to apply for benefits is critical to an approval and, as with any other SSD claim, legal help is imperative.

Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes pain and various symptoms including diarrhea, bleeding, losing one's appetite, losing weight, experiencing joint pain, and having skin issues. Children are not immune to Crohn's disease and they can experience growth hindrances because of it. The problem with Crohn's disease goes beyond the symptoms and how it affects the person. There can be an extended period in which it is in remission and then can flare up again.

What are the requirements for disability benefits for OCD?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Mental Conditions on Thursday, December 27, 2018.

Mental illness is something that few want to talk about or acknowledge, but it afflicts a significant number of people. In New Jersey, when people are suffering from mental illness or mental conditions, it can negatively impact their ability to function in work and social settings, making it all-but impossible to earn a living. For those with obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is possible that the issues meet the requirements for qualifying mental conditions and disability benefits can be approved. Understanding OCD and what evidence is needed is key to a case.

With OCD and anxiety disorders, the person will be excessively anxious, worried, apprehensive and fearful. They might also avoid certain thoughts, feelings, places, people and activities. They will frequently feel restless, be unable to concentrate, express excessive vigilance, have muscle tension, experience sleep disturbances, be fatigued and have panic attacks. This can occur with people of any age.

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