In June of this year, more than 8.7 million individuals received Social Security Disability benefits with an average benefit payment of $1,111.42. The increase in individuals who are now receiving disability benefits reflects the change in the number of Americans who are actually employed in the United States – a number that has been shrinking steadily over the past 20 years.
In October of 2011, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the addition of thirteen new conditions to its Compassionate Allowances list. One of those conditions was ALS, also known as Parkinsonism Dementia Complex.
The SSA's Compassionate Allowances list communicated what medical conditions automatically qualify for disability.
When you’re filing a Social Security disability claim, you need to be careful about what you say and who you say it to. You especially need to be careful about information that ends up on the Internet. All it takes is one picture of you on the golf course or ball diamond to shoot holes in your disability claim.
Tennessee Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Gerald Krasfur has long been known as the ALJ you want handling your disability hearing. He is widely known for approving the majority of appeals that come before him.
Unfortunately for those currently appealing denials of Social Security benefits in Mid-Tennessee, Mr. Krasfur has recently been placed on administrative leave. The exact details of his leave are unclear, but reports suggest that it was due to an incident of driving under the influence rather than anything related to his functions as an administrative law judge.
Many people make Social Security disability claims based in whole or in part on stress. Most are disappointed with the end result. Roughly 70% of all disability claims are denied initially. Those based on conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and quantitate can be especially hard to get approved.
Environmental impairments are conditions which cause it to be difficult or impossible for a person to tolerate conditions related to noise, light, chemicals, particular temperatures, air conditions, or other environmental conditions. They are considered non-exertional impairments by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to differentiate them from exertional impairments, which relate directly to a person’s ability to physically or mentally perform work.
