Parkinson’s Disease is a disorder that affects the central nervous system. It affects movement, and often results in tremors. It often leads to muscle rigidity as well as changes in gait and speech. Treatments may be able to help relieve the symptoms, but there isn’t a cure for the condition. It affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. There are five stages of the disease, and as the condition advances, you will most likely not be able to work.
It can make it difficult, if not impossible, to walk. You will not be able to grasp, perform fine hand movements, lift and carry items, and do other physical tasks that are necessary for your employment. It can also affect your speech and limit your ability to talk and communicate.
Parkinson’s And Your Ability To Perform Physical Work
The Social Security Administration (SSA) checks to make sure your condition limits or restricts your ability to work so severely that you are unable to earn a living. The medical guide used by the SSA, which is called the Blue Book, has a listing for Parkinson’s Disease, and if your condition meets the listed criteria, you can qualify for disability benefits.
To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits using Listing 11.06 of the Blue Book, you must be able to provide medical records that indicate one of the following:
- The inability to control movement of at least two extremities despite undergoing at least three months of treatment. This must lead to extreme difficulty in balancing while walking or standing, standing up from a seated position, or using the arms OR
- Have marked physical problems with marked limitations of any one of the following:
Thinking, remembering, understanding, and applying information
Interacting with others socially OR
Finishing tasks, which could involve problems with speed, persistence, or concentration
The SSA refers to marked as being worse than moderate, while still less than extreme. If your condition doesn’t meet the Blue Book listing, you can still qualify using a residual functional capacity (RFC), which shows your conditions, symptoms, and side effects as well as your limitations and restrictions.
Parkinson’s And Your Ability To Perform Sedentary Work
Sedentary work is light-duty, or the least strenuous work that you can perform. Often, it requires repetitive tasks that require you to interact with others. Sometimes manual dexterity is a necessity. Many individuals who suffer from Parkinson’s disease are affected mentally because of the depression and anxiety they experience because of their limitations and inability to do things as they had in the past.
The mental impact that Parkinson’s Disease has on you could be disabling. When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, be sure to indicate all your restrictions and limitations and detail how you are affected by your condition both physically and mentally. The more details that you can provide, and the more evidence that is made available, then the more informed Disability Determination Services will be so they can make a more accurate decision regarding your disability claim.
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