Trisomy X Syndrome and Social Security Disability

Trisomy X Syndrome (also referred to as XXX Syndrome) is caused by a chromosomal anomaly created by an extra x chromosome in the cells of the body. This condition only affects women and only happens in about one in every thousand births. While most of the women who are born with XXX Syndrome display very few symptoms, some cases can be severe in nature and may prevent a woman from being able to perform gainful work activity. In these cases, Social Security Disability benefits may be needed in order to financially provide for the individual suffering from the affects of Trisomy X Syndrome.

Obesity and Social Security Disability

Obesity is a growing concern in the United States, for both children and adults alike. It is estimated that more than 30 percent of the adult population currently suffers from Obesity. While the degree of Obesity varies from case to case, some of the individuals who suffer from the condition are unable to work because of it. Those who suffer from severe Obesity may not be able to leave the home or even get out of bed, let alone maintain the responsibilities of full-time employment. This can result in severe financial hardship and overwhelming emotional burdens. If you or someone you know is suffering from Obesity and is unable to work due to the condition, you may be interested in how Obesity is viewed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you are wondering whether or not Obesity can qualify an individual for Social Security Disability benefits, the following information can help.

Obesity - Condition and Symptoms

It is important to understand that there is a difference between being overweight and being obese. Obesity is defined by an individual's BMI (body mass index). A BMI over 30.0 is considered to be obese. Even if you are overweight, if your BMI is below 30.0 you do not fall under the definition of an obese individual.

There are three different categories of Obesity. Individuals with a BMI of 30.0 to 34.9 are considered to suffer from Class I Obesity. Individuals with a BMI of 35.0 to 39.9 are considered to have Class II Obesity. A BMI of 40.0 falls into the category of Class III Obesity. The health risks associated with Obesity increase with each level. Obesity can lead to sleep apnea, heart disease, cancer, liver disease and other serious medical complications.

There are a variety of factors that can lead to Obesity and the causes of the condition are widely misunderstood. Many people assume that individuals who suffer from Obesity do so because of their eating habits. They believe that these people could “solve” their problem by eating less and exercising more. While this may be true in some cases, it is not always the situation. Other factors can play a role in Obesity, such as illness and genetics.

There is no overall “cure” for Obesity. The condition must be treated on a case-by-case basis and the reason for the Obesity must be determined in order for the condition to be treated properly. For example, a woman with PCOS may be suffering Obesity due to a case of insulin resistance. In this situation the doctor could prescribe a medication that would address the insulin resistance and the Obesity may resolve itself. Depending on the cause of the Obesity, the condition may be treated with medication, diet and exercise or, in extreme circumstances, surgery.

Filing for Social Security Disability with Obesity

There is no longer a listing for Obesity in the SSA's “Blue Book” of impairments. This was not always the case. Up until 1999 Obesity was listed as a disabling condition in the SSA's guidelines. That listing was deleted in 1999, however, and it is currently more complicated for individuals to receive Social Security Disability benefits due to Obesity.

If you suffer from Obesity along with an associated condition that is listed in the Social Security Blue Book, you may have an easier time qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits. For example, if you suffer from a cardiovascular or respiratory condition that is listed under the Social Security guidelines as a result of your Obesity, it may be easier for you to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits than it is for someone who only suffers from Obesity and other non-listed conditions.

Even if you do not suffer from a listed disabling condition, it does not mean that you will not be able to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. You may just have a harder time being approved for disability benefits and will likely need to take your disability case before an administrative law judge.

Obesity and Your Social Security Disability Case

If you are applying for Social Security Disability benefits due to Obesity and you do not have a resulting condition that is listed in the SSA's guidelines, you will likely be denied at the initial stage of the Social Security Disability application process. The fact of the matter is that nearly 70 percent of initial applications are not approved by the SSA. In order to receive disability benefits you will need to move forward and file an appeal and have your case heard before an administrative law judge.

If you want the best chance of receiving a favorable decision in your disability claim, you will want to hire a Social Security Disability attorney. A qualified attorney can increase your chances of successfully filing a claim for disability benefits.

Why a Disability Lawyer Would Not Take a Case

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Individuals who are interested in hiring a Social Security Disability attorney are often surprised when an attorney refuses to represent them in their Social Security Disability case. Why would an attorney turn away a potential client? There are many valid reasons why this may occur.

Reason #1: Your Initial Claim Has Not Been Denied

Down Syndrome and Social Security Disability

One in every 690 babies that are born in the United States are born with a form of Down syndrome. This condition can often prevents an individual from performing substantial gainful work activity and many individuals who live with Down syndrome are unable to provide for themselves. This may place a severe financial burden on the family of the disabled individual. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits can help offset some of the financial difficulties caused by Down syndrome conditions.

Chronic Thrombocytopenia and Social Security Disability

The symptoms of Chronic Thrombocytopenia can be severe and may often prevent an individual from performing substantial gainful work activity. Unable to work, the individuals suffering from the condition can also face significant financial hardship. Without a means of income or medical insurance, the financial burden can be overwhelming. In some cases, Social Security Disability benefits can alleviate some of this financial stress caused by the condition.

Chronic Skin Diseases and Social Security Disability

Skin diseases are one of the most common types of disorders, with various conditions affecting 100 million Americans, according to the American Skin Association. Millions of those cases are chronic diseases, which means they’re long-term, recurrent, or possibly life-long conditions.

If you’ve has been affected by a long-term skin disease that’s interfering with your ability to work, there may be help. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides financial support to those unable to work because of a disabling condition.

Bullous Diseases and Social Security Disability

Individuals who suffer from one of the many Bullous Diseases often endure painful and debilitating symptoms. It can be hard for these people to function in day-to-day life, let alone maintain the responsibilities of a full-time job. If an individual is unable to work due to their Bullous Disease condition, it can cause serious financial devastation. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits can sometimes offset the financial burden caused by these conditions. If you are living with a Bullous Disease and are wondering whether or not you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, the following information can help you understand the disability claim process and how your condition may qualify you for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Bullous Diseases - Condition and Symptoms

Bullous Disease is a general term given to a number of conditions that result in elevated, fluid-filled blisters on the skin. There are a number of distinct conditions that are diagnosed as a Bullous Disease. These conditions include bullous pemphigoid, linear immunoglobulin, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, dermatitis herpetiformis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vulgaris, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and other disorders of the skin.

While some cases of Bullous Disease are mild, others can be very extreme and may result in variety of medical complications. In cases of pemphigus vulgaris, for example, patients may experience extensive erosion of the skin that results in the skin or mucous membranes sliding of and leaving raw and painful sores behind. These sores are often prone to infection and people who suffer from them must dress the wounds properly and avoid exposure to unprotected environments. When the condition affects the mucous membranes it is often difficult for the individual suffering from the condition to eat and swallow. While cases of pemphigus vulgaris used to be fatal in many cases, treatment with corticosteroids can often help individuals who are suffering from the condition.

Patients who suffer from Bullous Diseases often experience severe itching and burning in the affected regions of the skin. When the mucous membranes of the mouth are affected the mouth may burn and the individual may be sensitive to acidic foods. If the inner nose is affected, spontaneous nosebleeds may occur.

If your doctor suspects that you are suffering from a Bullous Disease he or she will order a biopsy to diagnose the condition. A variety of treatments may be prescribed to treat Bullous Diseases including steroids, immunosuppressants and antibiotics. Although treatment for Bullous Disease is available, responses to treatment are erratic and some patients may not respond to treatment or may experience significant side effects.

Filing for Social Security Disability with Bullous Diseases

When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits due to a Bullous Disease, you will need to prove that your condition prevents you from performing any work activity. Because Bullous Diseases vary from case to case, you will need medical documentation proving the severity of your condition. It is important that you discuss how your condition interferes with your ability to work when visiting with your doctor. This will help you obtain the medical documentation you need to prove your case to the SSA.

Bullous Diseases do fall under the SSA's published listing of impairments under Section 8.03 of the guidelines. In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits under these guidelines, your condition must have resulted in extensive skin lesions that last for three months or more. You must also have evidence that you have undergone treatment for the condition and that the treatment has been unsuccessful in alleviating the symptoms of the Bullous Disease. When submitting your application for Social Security Disability benefits, make sure that you provide the SSA with information regarding the size and location of your sores, a detailed medical history and information about your ability to function outside of a sterile environment.

Bullous Diseases and Your Social Security Disability Case

The severity of Bullous Diseases can vary drastically from one individual to the next. Because of this, not all claims for Social Security Disability benefits will be approved at the initial stage of the application process when an individual applies for benefits due to a Bullous Disease. In fact, only 30 percent of disability applications are actually approved at the initial application stage. Unless your case of Bullous Disease is very severe, you will likely need to file an appeal in order to receive Social Security Disability benefits.

If your initial claim for Social Security Disability benefits is denied you should consider retaining the services of a qualified Social Security Disability attorney. Statistics show that applicants who have legal representation during the Social Security Disability appeal process are more likely to be awarded benefits than those who do not. A consultation with an attorney prior to filing your initial claim will increase your chances of being awarded disability benefits as well.

Ichthyosis and Social Security Disability

Ichthyosis is a rare medical condition that affects the skin. In severe cases, Ichthyosis can be very debilitating and difficult to live with. Those who suffer from extreme cases of Ichthyosis are often unable to work due to the symptoms the condition causes. The inability to earn an income combined with mounting medical bills can wreak havoc on an individual's financial well-being. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits may offset some of the financial burden caused by the Ichthyosis condition. If you are living with Ichthyosis and are wondering whether or not your condition qualifies you for Social Security Disability benefits, the following information may help you through the disability application process.

Ichthyosis - Condition and Symptoms

Ichthyosis is a term given to a broad range of skin disorders. Many of the skin disorders that fall under the Ichthyosis definition are genetic in nature. All forms of Ichthyosis are characterized by dry, scaly, flaky or thickened skin.

The word “Ichthyosis” derives from the Greek word “ichthys”, which means “fish”. This is due to the way the skin looks when a person suffers from the condition. The flaky, scaly skin can resemble fish scales, hence the name of the condition.

The severity of Ichthyosis will vary from case to case. Some individuals will suffer only mild symptoms while others may experience extreme cases of Ichthyosis, such as harlequin Ichthyosis. In the most severe cases, an Ichthyosis condition may even be life-threatening. Most of the people who suffer from an Ichthyosis condition suffer from the variety of Ichthyosis known as Ichthyosis vulgaris. This type of Ichthyosis makes up more than 95 percent of documented Ichthyosis cases. Most of these individuals will not qualify for disability benefits. If you suffer from a severe form of Ichthyosis, however, you may be entitled to disability benefits.

In a healthy individual the body constantly renews the surface of the skin. As new skin cells are created, older ones shed from the surface of the skin. When an individual suffers from Ichthyosis, the balance is interrupted because the skin is either creating too many skin cells or because the old skin cells do not shed properly. The resulting accumulation of cells causes thick flakes of skin to develop, resembling the scales of a fish.

In most cases, the effects of Ichthyosis are mostly cosmetic in nature. In severe cases, however, the Ichthyosis may interfere with the body's ability to protect itself against infection, regulate its temperature and may cause dehydration. Symptoms of Ichthyosis often include body odor, itching of the skin, wax buildup in the ears and a severe dryness and flaking of the skin. These symptoms will often be worse in the winter months and in dryer climates.

Ichthyosis is often diagnosed through a physical examination, although a biopsy may be ordered to conclude a doctor's findings. While there is no cure for the condition, medications are available to assist in maintaining the moisture levels of the skin and to help the body shed older skin cells.

Filing for Social Security Disability with Ichthyosis

Fortunately, the Ichthyosis condition is included in the Social Security Administration (SSA)'s listing of impairments. This listing is what examiners refer to when reviewing a claim for Social Security Disability benefits. The condition of Ichthyosis is covered under Section 8.02 of the impairment listings, which can make qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits easier.

If you suffer from Ichthyosis and your condition results in extensive skin lesions that persist for 3 months or more, even though all prescribed treatment has been followed, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits under Section 8.02 of the disability listings. You will have to prove, however, that your disability prevents you from being able to perform any work activity. This can be done by providing the SSA with comprehensive medical records and statements from your treating physicians during the application process.

Ichthyosis and Your Social Security Disability Case

If you are suffering from Ichthyosis and are unable to work due to the condition you should consider applying for Social Security Disability benefits. It is important to understand, however, that only 30 percent of applications are approved at the initial stage of the application process. The remaining 70 percent of applicants must go on to file an appeal in order to obtain disability benefits.

Because cases of Ichthyosis can be complicated, it is not uncommon for an applicant suffering from the condition to have their initial claim for Social Security Disability benefits denied. If this happens, you will need to go through the disability appeal process and should consider hiring a Social Security Disability attorney to represent you during your appeal. Statistics show that individuals with legal representation during the appeal process are more likely to receive Social Security Disability benefits than those who do not have a disability attorney representing them in their disability claim. A consultation with an attorney prior to filing for benefits will increase your chances of being approved at the initial claim stage as well.