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Cardiovascular disease and Social Security Disability

February is American Heart Month. The month is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is meant to educate people in Massachusetts and elsewhere on cardiovascular disease, its causes and preventative actions. If you are a worker diagnosed with a form of cardiovascular disease and are no longer able to work because of it, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, which translates to 2,200 deaths per day and 800,000 deaths per year. Cardiovascular disease is also a leading cause of disability and prevents people from working. When it comes to applying for disability benefits such heart issues are categorized under the cardiovascular system in Social Security Disability's list of impairments.

Social Security Disability defines cardiovascular impairment as any disorder that affects the proper functioning of the heart or the circulatory system including arteries, veins, capillaries and the lymphatic drainage. The disorder can be acquired or congenital. An individual applying for disability benefits because of cardiovascular disease must provide documentation of the issue. The documentation should include detailed reports of history, lab studies, physical examinations and prescribed treatments. In addition, a longitudinal clinical record of three months or longer is usually required.

Common mistakes after initial denial of SSDI benefits

Even though more workers have applied for Social Security Disability benefits in recent years, the majority of those who apply for disability benefits are initially denied. About two-thirds of those who apply for Social Security Disability are initially denied by the Social Security Administration. Often, those who are initially denied reapply through the appeal process. This post will cover some common mistakes applicants make after SSDI is initially denied.

Often, applicants who are initially denied disability benefits do not try to appeal the initial decision. Even though the process is difficult applicants should not immediately give up.

When it comes time to file an appeal to an initial denial of benefits, many people miss the specific appeal deadline and instead reapply according to the initial application timeline. The appeals process allows applicants more opportunities to supplement their file. Similarly, applicants who are initially denied do not provide enough information. Claimants commonly do not provide enough details about doctors and the effects their medical condition has on their ability to work.

Applicants who are initially denied should also be sure to update their files with the Disability Determination Services. Disability Determination Services are state agencies that make disability determinations. Applicants should continue to send information on doctors' visits, visits to hospitals, medical tests and other health-related information. Claimants should also be sure to keep copies of any records, forms and applications related to the Social Security Disability application and appeal process. A paper trail is especially helpful if an examiner asks for previously submitted information.

Appealing a Social Security Disability decision

People in Boston, Massachusetts who are not able to work because of a long-term medical condition may be interested to know that an initial denial of Social Security Disability benefits can be reviewed. After an individual receives his or her letter of explanation from the Social Security Administration, an appeal can be filed if the individual disagrees with the decision.

There are generally four levels of appeal for the Social Security Disability program. They are reconsideration, hearing by an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council and Federal Court review. The letter containing the decision on an individual's claim provides information on how to begin the appeals process.

Reconsideration involves an entire review of an individual's application. A person who was not a part of the first decision will complete the review and will consider any new evidence. Reconsideration does not require a meeting with a Social Security representative.

If the individual disagrees with the reconsideration decision, the individual can ask for a hearing. An administrative law judge, who was not a part of the original or reconsideration decisions, will hold the hearing. The hearing will be held within 75 miles of the individual's home, and the administrative law judge will inform the individual of the location and time of the hearing. Additional evidence may be requested before the hearing, and the administrative law judge will question the individual and any witnesses the individual brings. Medical and vocational experts may also be present at the hearing. A letter and copy of the judge's decision will be sent after the hearing.

Military service members and Social Security Disability

Military service members like other people in Massachusetts can receive Social Security Disability benefits. Uniquely, military service members go through an expedited application process when they apply for disability benefits. The benefits are separate from benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs and therefore require an independent application with the Social Security Administration.

A military service member can receive Social Security Disability benefits if she or he has worked for a requisite number of years and paid Social Security taxes. If a military service member qualifies for disability benefits, certain members of the service member's family may also receive benefits. Military service members like those who have not served must meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disability.

In order to be found disabled, a military service member must be unable to do substantial work because of a medical condition. In addition, the medical condition must have lasted or be expected to continue for at least one year. Unfortunately, Social Security Disability does not provide benefits for short-term disability. Service members may also want to know how military pay affects eligibility.

Military pay alone does not prevent the award of Social Security disability benefits, and according to the Social Security Administration's website, the receipt of military pay should not stop a service member from applying for disability benefits. The work activity a service member is engaged in is the determining factor regarding eligibility and military pay.

Determination of disability after benefits are awarded

When a Social Security Disability applicant is awarded benefits, the Social Security Administration periodically reviews the medical condition of the beneficiary to determine whether the person is still disabled. If the condition of the beneficiary remains or has not improved, the person will continue to receive disability benefits.

To review the medical condition of a beneficiary, the Social Security Administration will collect information about the beneficiary. The type of information that will be collected by the Social Security Administration includes medical records from the beneficiary's doctors, hospitals and other medical service providers. The information will help the Administration decide how the beneficiary's condition limits his or her activities. During the information collection process, the Administration may ask the beneficiary to attend a special examination, which will be paid by Social Security.

After information on the beneficiary has been collected, the Social Security Administration will review the beneficiary's case. The Administration will review the state of the beneficiary's medical condition when the case was previously reviewed and compare it to the current state of the condition. New health problems will also be considered during the review process.

SSDI's backlog challenges some people with terminal illness

There are thousands of Social Security Disability applicants who are waiting to have their cases heard by administrative law judges. These applicants in Massachusetts and other states are likely to have had their initial application denied and are appealing the denial of disability benefits. Unfortunately, there are a significant number of terminally ill applicants whose applications are a part of the backlog. Tragically, terminally ill patients sometimes die before they receive disability benefits.

Rising unemployment and an aging population have contributed to a steep rise in disability benefits applications. In 2011, around 3.3 million people applied for Social Security Disability. According to government statistics, there were about 771,318 people who were waiting to have their appeals cases heard by administrative law judges.

To address the backlog, the Social Security Administration created and expanded a program that allows the cases of people with certain disabilities and diseases to be reviewed more quickly. Examples of diseases that allow for hurried review are pancreatic cancer and leukemia. Unfortunately, a significant number of applicants with terminal illnesses die before their cases are heard on appeal. Since 2005, around 15,000 applicants have died while they waited for their disability benefits case to be reviewed.

How to Apply for SSDI Online

People in Massachusetts may be interested to know that it is possible to apply for Social Security Disability benefits online. In this post we will briefly talk about the online application process for SSDI.

To begin, the option to apply online for Social Security Disability benefits is advantageous for a number of reasons. An applicant can avoid the cost of traveling to a Social Security Office to apply. An applicant can also take advantage of the comfort of her or his home by applying at home. Finally, an applicant can avoid the wait for an appointment time by applying online at home.

An applicant only needs to complete a few simple steps to apply for disability benefits online. The first step is to go to www.socialsecurity.gov and click on "Apply online for disability benefits." Next, complete the Disability Benefit Application. The third step is to answer the questions on the Adult Disability Report, and the final step is to mail or take the requested documents to a local Social Security office.

Review of Social Security Disability system may lead to fairer process

Recently, the Social Security Administration initiated an independent review of the Social Security Disability program. The independent review of the Social Security Disability program will look at how the program awards benefits to applicants. For people in Massachusetts who are not able to work, the review may lead to a fairer system.

When a Social Security Disability application has been denied twice and an applicant seeks an appeal, an administrative law judge reviews the appeal. Administrative law judges work for the Social Security Administration, and during an appeal they are generally given wide discretion to decide a case. Earlier this year, an investigation by The Wall Street Journal revealed a significant discrepancy regarding the approval rates for appeals cases among some administrative law judges.

The average approval rate for Social Security Disability cases that are appealed is 60 percent. Some administrative law judges approve Social Security Disability cases greatly above or below the average. One judge in Houston, Texas only approved 13 percent of his cases over the last year, and one judge in Tennessee awarded benefits in practically all of the cases that came before him. In cases that should have been approved, the applicant who lost the appeal directly suffers. In cases that were approved but should not have been, the decisions move awards away from those who need assistance. The independent review seeks to resolve those issues.

Arizona Governor in dispute over disability benefits

It is not unusual for residents of Massachusetts or any other state to become involved in a dispute with the Social Security Administration over benefits. The dispute may concern many things including, a delay of benefits to which one is entitled, the amount of the benefits, or whether the benefits were illegally obtained. In regards to the latter, readers of this blog may find a case involving the governor of Arizona and Social Security Disability benefits of interest.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer was reportedly under investigation by federal authorities to determine if she had improperly received about $75,000 in benefits on behalf of her son. Apparently, that investigation was deferred to federal prosecutors, who declined to pursue the matter. But that has not stopped many from raising questions.

As unemployment benefits expire, SSD applications increase

There is no doubt that the past few years have been a struggle for citizens in Massachusetts and across the entire United States. Unemployment is at an all-time high and many employers are asking more from their workers while offering fewer hours and eliminating many part-time positions. People with limiting illnesses or injuries are unable to find jobs that fit their limitations and must turn to assistance like unemployment and Social Security Disability benefits.

A recent study has found a link between the expiration of unemployment benefits and the applications for Social Security Disability benefits. Researchers study data compiled by the government programs and noticed a trend.

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