Neuralgia is a chronic condition that directly affects the pain receptors in your body. Those who suffer from this condition often experience a sudden shock of acute pain in specific points in the body at random times. Some individuals experience these episodes of pain very infrequently. Others can experience multiple episodes in one day.
Neuralgia is most commonly experienced in the face. This is known as trigeminal neuralgia, but this condition can occur at any nerve ending. The symptoms for this condition may include:
- Numbness
- Increased sensitivity to movement and touch
- Sharp, burning pain
- Weakness or paralysis of muscles
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Neuralgia
For those who have extremely severe neuralgia symptoms, working can be impossible. If neuralgia limits your ability to work, you may need social security disability benefits in order to support yourself financially.
Applying for SSD assistance can be extremely tricky with neuralgia, as it is not listed in the Social Security Administrations blue book. Qualifying for benefits with neuralgia is made even more difficult because there is no clear way to diagnose this condition. However, there are many symptoms that are caused by neuralgia that can help you qualify for benefits under a different blue book listing.
Neuralgia Symptoms that Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits
To qualify for disability benefits with Neuralgia, the Social Security Administration will consider the following:
- The location, frequency, duration, and intensity of your pain
- Your ability to perform daily activities
- The medication, and its side effects, that you take to control your symptoms
- Treatments you have undertaken to alleviate your pain, such as physical therapy, and the results of those treatments
Medical Evidence and Documentation Needed to Receive SSD Benefits
When applying for SSD for neuralgia, it is essential to provide thorough evidence of your symptoms. As your primary limiting symptom is likely going to be chronic pain, this is going to be more difficult to document. Examples of medical evidence needed may include:
- Any x-rays, lab results, or scans that would show causes of your pain
- Letters from your physicians describing the severity and frequency of your symptoms
- History of treatments and medications taken and how they affected your ability to control the pain
Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney When Applying for Benefits
Applying for benefits when you have neuralgia can be extremely difficult. There is little known about the causes of this condition, and it is impossible to definitively prove that you have it. The best way to finally receive assistance from the SSA is to hire a Social Security Disability attorney that is experienced at handling these types of cases.
A skilled professional can help you gather all of the extensive medical evidence you need to demonstrate that you are a qualified candidate.
