For more than 30 years the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) has led the nation in the observation of Brain Injury Awareness Month by observing Brain Injury Awareness Month during March. The theme for the campaign is “Change Your Mind.” The public awareness campaign provides a platform for educating the general public about brain injury ad the needs of the injury victims and their families.
Why Brain Injury Awareness Month?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability and death in the U.S. Between 2006 to 2014 there was a 53 percent increase in the emergency department visits, deaths, and hospitalizations pertaining to brain injury.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 155 people died every day from injuries including a TBI in 2014. TBIs can have different effects, such as impairments associated with sensation, memory, thinking, movement, and emotion.
March is designated at Brain Injury Awareness Month to bring awareness to the severity of the injuries and to provide education, funding, and support to those who are affected by brain injury. There are various programs offered and educational materials are made available to help improve awareness of brain injuries and their effect on families. More than 1.5 million people suffer a TBI in the U.S. every year.
How Can Someone With a Traumatic Brain Injury Qualify For Social Security Disability?
Traumatic brain injuries are a leading cause of disability. If a TBI keeps you from working, you may qualify for disability benefits using the Blue Book listing 11.18 for TBI found under neurological disorders. If you have a TBI that doesn’t cause lasting physical issues, your condition can be evaluated through another listing, specifically Listing 12.02 for neurocognitive disorders.
You will need to provide hard medical evidence to support your claim. Your condition and its symptoms must meet the criteria of the listing that you are trying to qualify under. To qualify through Listing 11.18, you must provide records that show the inability to control the movement of at least two extremities for at least three months after the injury or “marked” physical problems along with a “marked” limitation in one of the following – thinking, interacting with others, finishing tasks, or regulating emotions and controlling behavior.
What If I Don’t Meet Or Match A Blue Book Listing For TBI?
If you cannot meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing, you may qualify using a medical vocational allowance. Your medical conditions, age, educational background, work history, and skills are taken into consideration.
A residual functional capacity (RFC) form will tell disability determination services what you can and cannot do and will detail the severity of your condition, as well as how long you can stand, how far you can walk, if you can squat and bend, and how much you can lift. A doctor will need to fill one out on your behalf.
How Do I Start The Disability Claims Process With a Brain Injury?
If you are unable to work because of a brain injury, you can star the claims process online at the SSA’s site or by visiting an SSA office.
You can enlist the help of a Social Security disability lawyer to improve your odds of a successful claim. A disability attorney will help you gather the needed medical proof and help you through the application process. To get connected to a lawyer that takes cases in your area, complete the Free Case Evaluation today.
