Monday, December 10, 2007

Multiple Sclerosis

Every once in a while the right thing happens when filing a disability claim. I submitted a Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits application for a 46 year old, college educated claimant with MS. In addition to providing all of the medical and vocational information on the application forms, all I provided were some preliminary treatment records. While the application and treatment records established the existence of MS, they did not discuss the effects the MS had on functionality.

In the absence of evidence regarding functionality, SSD applications are virtually always denied. In fact, even when supportive functionality assessments are submitted, SSD applications are frequently denied. Therefore, it was surprising to learn that the SSD application was approved in less than two months. This aberrant result should not dissuade claimants though from the cost of seeking functionality assessments as soon as practicable.

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