When your child is diagnosed with a rare, debilitating disease, help may be available to you through Social Security Disability programs such as Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid and Medicare. Before applying, you should be aware that the claims process is often quite long and usually involves several denials and appeals. Your best chances of having your claim approved are to have a Social Security Disability lawyer work with you on your claim.
While most claims take several months to be processed (and even longer to appeal, when necessary), there are some conditions that the Social Security Administration will automatically approve. These conditions, called Compassionate Allowance Listings, are subject to a different application and claims process that is much faster than the traditional method that most claims must undergo.
If you or your child has a disabling condition that qualifies for a Compassionate Allowance, you will have very few problems getting your Social Security Disability benefits approved, as long as the medical documentation is complete and supports the diagnosis. Start the application process as soon as possible after your doctor diagnoses you or your child with one of these conditions, as the date that you notify the SSA of your intent to file can have an effect on how much back pay you will be entitled to.
Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy – Condition and Symptoms
Merosin Deficient Congenital Dystrophy is a particularly severe form of muscular dystrophy that is generally first noticed when babies fail to scoot, crawl or otherwise ambulate. Breathing problems are also among the early symptoms of the disease and can sometimes be severe enough that a tracheotomy is needed.
Children with Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy generally develop intelligence and cognitive ability normally, though epilepsy sometimes accompanies the disorder. Moderate mental retardation sometimes occurs due to unusual amounts of Merosin protein, but this is not the norm.
Like other forms of muscular dystrophy, we are currently without a cure for Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. Current treatments focus on improving the life conditions, limiting deformities, and include various types of physical therapy and physiotherapy. Many who suffer from this Merosin Deficient CMD also need a tracheotomy or other breathing support.
Due to the improvement in ventilation support treatments, the prognosis is somewhat better for sufferers of Merosin Deficient CMD than it was in years past, though the condition is still sometimes fatal. Proper medical attention is key to offering the best quality of life possible to those with Merosin Deficient CMD.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
If your child has Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, he or she qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits. Because the condition qualifies for a Compassionate Allowance, you will not only have no trouble qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits, but you will start receiving them within about a month after applying in most cases.
As with any other disability case, it’s important to notify the Social Security Administration as soon as possible that you intend to file. While you won’t be waiting long for an approval with a Compassionate Allowance, the date the SSA will use to determine how much back pay you are entitled to will be based on the day when you first notify them of your intent (even if you don’t actually file your claim until later).
Most people find it much easier to navigate the Social Security Administration’s system with the help of a Social Security Disability attorney. While you are entitled to represent yourself at all levels of the claims and appeals process, having a professional work with you on your claim is an economical way to ensure that your Merosin Deficient CMD disability claim is placed for a Compassionate Allowance, as it should be.
You will want to make sure that the medical file includes a complete description of your doctor’s findings, and that it includes a family medical history, nerve conduction testing results, enzyme testing results, and blood test results. It should also include a description of any limitations in age appropriate development and functioning.
Your Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Social Security Disability Case
Regardless of who fills out the claim forms, you will want to make sure that they are filled out completely and accurately. You will want to make sure that your child’s doctor fills out all requested forms completely. Many of the issues that hinder Social Security Disability claims stem from incomplete physicians’ reports. Social Security Disability lawyers know exactly what the SSA is looking for in the medical file, and can often prevent delays by communicating with your child’s doctor regarding the way portions of the physician’s report are worded.
To have an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer or advocate go over the details of your case with you, fill out the request for a free evaluation today.
