Peripheral neuropathy results from significant damage done to the outside of the brain and spinal cord. Severe enough damage can cause considerable pain and weakness, as well as impair cognitive skills. If you have received a diagnosis for peripheral neuropathy you might be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits to pay off medical bills and make up for lost wages.
You will need to submit an application to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that includes medical documentation and financial statements that demonstrate a loss of income. A Social Security attorney can help organize the documents needed for you to win a claim.
Medical Documents Needed in Your Application
If peripheral neuropathy has kept you out of work for at least 12 consecutive months, you must attach medical documents to your disability application that proves you have the neuromuscular disorder. You should submit the names and contact information for each of the healthcare professionals that are involved in helping you fight the medical condition. Physician notes that describe your diagnosis, treatments, and rehabilitation regimen support your claim as well. Copies of medication prescriptions should also accompany your disability application.
The SSA refers to a medical symptom guide called the Blue Book to determine whether to approve disability claims. Some of the symptoms the SSA needs to see for peripheral neuropathy include intense pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, and a lack of coordination that often causes falls. The SSA also wants to review your complete medical history to discover how long you have lived with peripheral neuropathy. Copies of blood tests should indicate the presence of triggers such as diabetes and abnormal immune function. Imaging tests also detect the damage done to the outside of the brain and spinal cord.
Other Information to Submit with Your Disability Application
The symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy are listed under Section 11.14 of the Blue Book. You must make the connection between the symptoms of the medical condition and the time you have missed at work because of the symptoms. You need to show the SSA where you worked, as well as the type of work you completed daily. Recovering lost wages requires the submission of the most recent W-2 form and federal tax return that demonstrates a significant drop in income. Support from your employer in the form of a written statement confirming how peripheral neuropathy has limited your work performance is important as well. The SSA also wants your personal information, such as your Social Security number and a copy of your birth certificate.
How a Disability Attorney Can Strengthen Your Claim
The disability application review process is conducted by highly-trained professionals that specialize in labor and healthcare issues. To ensure your disability application persuades the SSA to approve your claim, you should speak with a state-licensed Social Security attorney. Your lawyer will conduct a thorough review of your case to determine whether any holes require more convincing medical evidence. Monitoring the status of your disability application is also done by your lawyer. If you claim comes back denied, your Social Security attorney will help you file a prompt appeal.
Most disability attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, as well as schedule free initial consultations to determine the best course of legal action. This means you do not have to pay any upfront costs to get an experienced disability lawyer to handle your case.
Back to topAdditional Resources
- Disability Benefits With Neurological Conditions
- Using a Residual Functional Capacity For Disability Benefits
- Medical Criteria to Qualify with Peripheral Neuropathy
