It is not uncommon for a person who files a claim for benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program to be told that additional medical evidence is required. In many situations, applicants are required to undergo a consultative exam with a medical professional who is approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Generally, there are at least a few approved contractors in a given geographic area who can provide such exams, but according to several lawsuits that were filed recently, some of them may not be providing the level of honest care that applicants should expect. Such was the case, allegedly, for a woman in Kansas City who sought a consultative exam as part of her 2018 SSDI application process.

Questions About the Consultative Exam

According to local news reports and court documents, a Kansas City woman applied for disability benefits in 2018, stating she could not work due to a number of health issues, including neck and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip surgery, arthritis, and constant migraines. As part of the application process, she visited a particular SSA-contracted medical provider in Kansas City.

When most people think about health conditions for which Social Security Disability benefits might be available, they often envision life-changing conditions such as cancer, auto-immune diseases, and severe, obvious injuries. In reality, however, nearly any condition that prevents you from maintaining gainful employment could potentially make you eligible for benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. This includes repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and more.

Understanding Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) are a type of condition that is caused by performing the same motions over and over again. This can happen at work if you have a job that requires you to perform the same task day in and day out. It can also occur during leisure activities, such as playing a musical instrument or participating in a sport.

These injuries generally affect muscles, tendons, or nerves and can lead to pain, inflammation, and even numbness or tingling. In some cases, RSIs can be so severe that they cause permanent damage. While RSIs can occur in any part of the body, they are most commonly seen in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and neck.

If you suffer from lupus, you know how difficult it can be sometimes to do even the most basic things. Simply getting out of bed in the morning can be a struggle, let alone going to work and providing for your family. While there may not be a cure for this serious autoimmune disease, there are some things that may be able to help you. In addition, you might also qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

What Is Lupus?

In order to understand how lupus can affect your ability to work, it is important to first understand what the disease is. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. The immune system normally protects the body from infection and illness. However, in people with lupus, the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues.

This can cause inflammation and damage in various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Lupus can also cause mild to severe fatigue, as well as other symptoms such as fever, chest pain, hair loss, and headaches. There is no one test that can definitively diagnose lupus. Instead, doctors will often use a combination of tests and physical examinations to make a diagnosis. There is no cure for lupus, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms.

The application and approval process for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can be time-consuming and stressful. Successfully navigating the process often requires the help of an experienced disability attorney. While we are happy to help our clients in obtaining the benefits they deserve, we are also excited when the Social Security Administration (SSA) takes steps to streamline the process.

Last month, the SSA announced additions to a specific program that has already accelerated the applications of about 800,000 Americans with disabling conditions. The additions come in the form of 12 new conditions that have been added to the Compassionate Allowance program, which expedites the processing of claims for applicants who are severely disabled.  

Compassionate Allowances

When a “normal” applicant for SSDI submits an application for benefits, the application must include documentation and proof of the person’s disabling condition. In most cases, this triggers a medical review by the SSA.

Social Security disability benefits are generally available to disabled veterans, regardless of the war in which they served and how long ago the conflict was. Many disabled or wounded veterans are also eligible to receive disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). While the goals of these two programs are similar—that is, providing financial assistance to disabled individuals—there are some important differences.

If you are a disabled veteran who is looking to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, your first call should be to a qualified disability attorney at The Law Offices of Coats & Todd. We will help you work through your application and secure the benefits to which you are entitled under the appropriate program.

Definitions of Disability

Perhaps the biggest difference between SSDI and VA disability compensation is each program’s definition of “disabled.” To be considered disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must show that you cannot perform “substantial gainful activity” as the result of a “medically determinable physical or mental impairment” that has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months or can be expected to result in your eventual death.