Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Sorted by date Results 126 - 150 of 171
Question: I am 33 years old and have had migraine headaches since I was 16. I have had MRI's of my brain, I've taken medication, I've even tried acupuncture. I still get migraine headaches two to three times a week. I can hardly move my head when I get one. Medication works sometimes but it is very expensive, and the doctor only gives me 10 pills a month. Light and sound is especially hard as it makes me nauseated. Obviously, I can't work when I have one. Can I qualify for disability benefits?...
Question: I have a hearing coming up in the next several months. I am very worried that I won't be prepared or worse yet, Social Security will not have all of my records. Can you tell me what I need to do to be prepared? Signed: Stressed in California City Ask the Advocate: I am so glad that you are asking this question before you get to the hearing. Keep in mind that new rules require the submission of evidence five business days before the hearing. The list below will help you get ready. 1....
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterial infection resulting from the bite of a tick that is very small and often escapes detection. While Lyme Disease can be overcome in its earlier stages, chronic Lyme Disease is not so easy a foe to beat. The bacterial organisms infest the brain of the afflicted and cause symptoms that have made Lyme Disease very hard to diagnose, as these symptoms mimic those of Multiple Sclerosis and...
Fibromyalgia is now a recognized medically determinable impairment by Social Security. I will talk about the symptoms of fibromyalgia and how these symptoms relate to a Social Security Disability or SSI claim. I will also discuss the type of treatment that Social Security recognizes for this condition. You will also read about how the limitations from fibromyalgia can help show you are disabled. Fibromyalgia is pain in several areas or all over body with no functional or structural disease to...
Sjögren's syndrome is an immune-mediated disorder of the exocrine glands. Involvement of the lacrimal and salivary glands is the hallmark feature, resulting in symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth, and possible complications, such as corneal damage, blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing), dental caries and the inability to speak for extended periods of time. Involvement of the exocrine glands of the upper airways may result in persistent dry cough. Many other organ...
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a serious skin disease that tragically is often misdiagnosed. Because HS usually begins as pimple-like bumps on the skin, many victims (and doctors, too) think their condition is acne, ingrown hair, or boils. As the disease worsens, the pimple-like bumps most commonly erupt in the underarm or groin areas-places that everyday pimples typically do not appear-and grow deep into the skin becoming very painful. To make matters worse, they often rupture, leaking...
Huntington disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by progressively worsening motor, cognitive, behavioral and psychiatric symptoms. HD is caused by a mutation of the Huntington gene called a "CAG repeat expansion." The mutation results in gradual neuronal degeneration in the basal ganglia of the brain, and progresses to involve other regions of the brain responsible for coordination of movements, thoughts, and emotions. Neuronal degeneration causes diffuse...
Question: I am a 53 year old man with severe diabetes. I have such bad neuropathy in my feet and hands that I can barely walk. In fact, most of the time I have to use a cane in my dominant hand and occasionally I have to use a rolling walker when the pain gets real bad. I was a heavy equipment operator for CalTrans for 25 years. I was forced to quit a year ago and took a disability retirement. I have paid into Social Security through my employer. Can I qualify for benefits? Ask the Advocate: If...
Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary physical movements or vocal sounds. These actions may include kicking, facial tics, sudden jerking movements, shouts, grunts, or many other fits. In some cases, the symptoms can be quite severe, including involuntary jumping or biting, and can put the individual's safety and well-being in danger. There are many symptoms that an individual with Tourette's syndrome may suffer from that can prevent that individual from...
Many of us will experience anxiety or panic attacks during our lives, both of which have symptoms that can mimic heart diseases like atrial fibrillation - an irregular heart beat. Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks can significantly impair quality of life. Severe anxiety can stem from, as well as cause, depression. To further complicate things, the stress and anxiety that often cause panic attacks can also lead to heart attacks. Panic attacks and heart attacks can feel frighteningly similar:...
Social Security requires that a person applying for benefits has the sole responsibility to prove they are disabled. Never rely on the Social Security doctors for a diagnosis or a disability rating. Social Security is also all about functioning...can you function at a job, any job, with the impairments you have. 1. Tell all your doctors about all your symptoms. If you have depression and you go to your primary doctor or a referral to a specialist, fill out a health questionnaire, and check NO,...
I often get calls asking about whether someone should to use an attorney or an advocate. My short answer is "there is no difference." Attorneys and advocates both represent claimants the same way and have the same authority. One major difference is that most advocates have not gone to law school. Many, like myself, have been paralegals for many years. I have been a paralegal for 38 years and 24 years as an advocate. When I graduated from paralegal school I decided that I wanted to find a non-tra...
Most folks file for Social Security Disability because they are physically unable to work. But for some, it's not the work that poses a threat, but the risk of blood clots or unstoppable bleeding. People who suffer from coagulation and bleeding disorders often live in fear of nicks and cuts. The Social Security Administration allows a person living with chronic blood clots (thrombosis), interrupted circulation, excessive blood clotting, or uncontrollable bleeding disorders to collect disability...
What is the definition of disability used by Social Security? Under the Social Security Act, "disability" means, "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months." I am disabled, but I have plenty of money in the bank. Do I have to wait until this money is gone before I apply for Social...
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease, which is a disorder characterized by the body not recognizing itself, causing it to attack its own tissues and cells. Graves' disease most often affects the thyroid gland causing it to be overactive, to swell larger than it should be, and can lead to hyperthyroidism (the thyroid producing an overabundance of thyroid hormones). The thyroid gland regulates things like weight, mental energy, mood and physical energy. Symptoms of Graves' disease can range...
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is diagnosed by blood tests and X-rays. There is a specific blood test for the disease called rheumatoid factor, which is most often used. There are also specific doctors, rheumatologists, which specialize in connective tissues and diseases of the joints. The cause of RA is unknown. It is suspected that fungi, bacteria and viruses are the cause, but there has been no proof to this theory. It could be genetic, have environmental causes or be due to certain infections,...
Benefits for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. If you suffer from a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which is dysautonomia, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects the blood flow of a sufferer. People who have POTS can experience a diminished quality of life. The symptoms and complications of this condition may make it difficult for a person to enjoy leisure activities or complete...
In humans, the adrenal glands sit right at the top of the kidneys. The main function of these glands is to produce a number of hormones that regulate a multitude of body functions. Addison's disease is the result of too little cortisol and often too little aldosterone. The symptoms may include darkening of the skin, weight loss, muscle fatigue, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, depression, nausea, diarrhea, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Addison's disease can also occur suddenly, and...
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is typically classified as an environmental illness. The cause can include exposure to physical, biological, or chemical compounds. Some examples are gas fumes, cleaning products, furniture polish, perfumes, sugar, aspirin, cigarette smoke, tap water, fragrance products, including shampoos and detergents and pesticides – both inside and outside and on foods. Persons who suffer from this condition may have minor to severe symptoms, including breathing i...
Social Security identifies a traumatic brain injury (TBI) under Listing 11.18. A TBI may result in neurological and mental impairments with a wide variety of post-traumatic symptoms and signs. The rate and extent of recovery can be highly variable, and the long-term outcome may be difficult to predict in the first few months post-injury. Generally, the neurological impairment will stabilize more rapidly than any mental impairment and is why the look back period is 3 consecutive months. Sometimes...
Starting March 17, 2014, veterans who have a VA compensation rating of 100% permanent and total (P&T) may receive expedited processing of applications for Social Security disability benefits. What do I need to know about the VA and Social Security programs? Both Social Security and VA pay disability benefits. However, their programs, processes, and criteria for receiving benefits are very different. A VA compensation rating of 100% Permanent and Total does not guarantee that you will receive...
How did Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) come about? In 1980, legislation created a requirement that SSA conduct CDRs every 3 years for beneficiaries whose impairment(s) were not considered permanent. The CDR review had a particularly harmful impact on beneficiaries with severe mental illness. In just 2 years, more than 80,000 had their benefits terminated. For many, this was their only source of income and many experienced extreme hardship. Courts ordered SSA to apply a "medical improvement...
Avascular necrosis, or bone death (osteonecrosis), happens when an area of the bone does not get enough blood supply. Avascular necrosis causes small breaks throughout the bone structure that can eventually lead to fractures. The hips are a common place for avascular necrosis to occur. Excessive consumption of alcohol, sickle-cell anemia, trauma to the area, or the long-term use of some steroidal medications can all cause avascular necrosis. The symptoms of avascular necrosis are pain in the...
In a fairly large percentage of cases, a person filing for disability benefits with the social security administration (in either the social security disability program or the SSI program: claims in either program are evaluated in exactly the same manner) will be notified that they have to go to a scheduled appointment for a medical examination, or a psychiatric examination, or psychological testing. These exams are known as consultation examinations and are referred to by disability examiners,...
Article by, Kathleen Romig Find it online at www.cbpp.org/blog/presidents-budget-would-hurt-people-with-disabilities President Trump’s 2018 budget would make it harder for millions of people with disabilities to afford the basics — food on the table, a roof over their heads, and access to health care. It cuts $72 billion over ten years from disability programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). And it would gut Medicaid, food assistance...
