Los Angeles Social Security Disability Lawyer Vincent Howard of HOWARD LAW recognizes that not all disabilities are apparent just by looking at someone.![raindropsandboy1.jpg]()
In fact, as of 2011, mental illness and developmental disabilities accounted for about 20 percent of all claims to the federal program. Back pain and musculoskeletal problems accounted for nearly 34 percent. Neurological disorders accounted for about 8 percent.
Many times, these are conditions that aren't easily apparent at a glance.
That's part of the reason they it's so difficult for folks with conditions like these to be approved for benefits in the first place. The process is incredibly rigorous, and it takes an enormous amount of paperwork, physician evaluations and sometimes oral arguments to prove that the individual's impairment is severe enough to receive benefits.
In reality, those whose conditions aren't readily apparent probably had to fight twice as hard to receive benefits as those whose conditions are obvious.
However, others who hear they are on disability meet that revelation with strong skepticism.
One example of this, profiled recently in Alabama's Montgomery Register, where the rate of disability is among the highest in the country, was that of a former residential electrician.
The man is 42-years-old. He's not pale or thin. He looks healthy. His gait isn't slow or staggered. He's intelligent and according to those close to him, has a great sense of humor.
So how is this man disabled?
It's what you can't see that makes it impossible for him to work. In fact, it's a combination of conditions that cumulatively add up to impairment.
First, there are the debilitating migraines. Medication does little to ease the symptoms, and when he feels one coming on, the only thing he can do is find a dark room to which he must retreat, sometimes for hours.
Secondly, he suffers from diabetes. This condition has resulted in a type of neuropathy, which is damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. As a result, he consistently loses sensation and feeling in both his hands and feet. That's a potentially deadly situation for an electrician.
And finally, several years ago, he learned he had a benign, but large, tumor in his brain. Doctors believe this is why he began having otherwise unexplained bouts of random sleep. For example, he would find himself snapping awake while dangling up high on a ladder. It would take a few moments before he would realize he'd actually fallen asleep for several minutes.
This combination of symptoms could have proven fatal while on his job. Given the severity of this combination, the Social Security Administration ruled he was unable to work in any capacity. As such, they have awarded him with a monthly check of $1,300 a month.
But that decision didn't come without a cost. It was two years in coming. During that time, there was incredible financial strain, and his marriage buckled under the pressure. He and his wife are now divorcing.
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In fact, as of 2011, mental illness and developmental disabilities accounted for about 20 percent of all claims to the federal program. Back pain and musculoskeletal problems accounted for nearly 34 percent. Neurological disorders accounted for about 8 percent.
Many times, these are conditions that aren't easily apparent at a glance.
That's part of the reason they it's so difficult for folks with conditions like these to be approved for benefits in the first place. The process is incredibly rigorous, and it takes an enormous amount of paperwork, physician evaluations and sometimes oral arguments to prove that the individual's impairment is severe enough to receive benefits.
In reality, those whose conditions aren't readily apparent probably had to fight twice as hard to receive benefits as those whose conditions are obvious.
However, others who hear they are on disability meet that revelation with strong skepticism.
One example of this, profiled recently in Alabama's Montgomery Register, where the rate of disability is among the highest in the country, was that of a former residential electrician.
The man is 42-years-old. He's not pale or thin. He looks healthy. His gait isn't slow or staggered. He's intelligent and according to those close to him, has a great sense of humor.
So how is this man disabled?
It's what you can't see that makes it impossible for him to work. In fact, it's a combination of conditions that cumulatively add up to impairment.
First, there are the debilitating migraines. Medication does little to ease the symptoms, and when he feels one coming on, the only thing he can do is find a dark room to which he must retreat, sometimes for hours.
Secondly, he suffers from diabetes. This condition has resulted in a type of neuropathy, which is damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. As a result, he consistently loses sensation and feeling in both his hands and feet. That's a potentially deadly situation for an electrician.
And finally, several years ago, he learned he had a benign, but large, tumor in his brain. Doctors believe this is why he began having otherwise unexplained bouts of random sleep. For example, he would find himself snapping awake while dangling up high on a ladder. It would take a few moments before he would realize he'd actually fallen asleep for several minutes.
This combination of symptoms could have proven fatal while on his job. Given the severity of this combination, the Social Security Administration ruled he was unable to work in any capacity. As such, they have awarded him with a monthly check of $1,300 a month.
But that decision didn't come without a cost. It was two years in coming. During that time, there was incredible financial strain, and his marriage buckled under the pressure. He and his wife are now divorcing.