Strokes affect at least 750,000 Americans each year and many people take a long time to recover, if at all, when this happens to them. Fortunately, there are disability benefits available to cover the financial hardship caused by the stroke. 70% of claims to the SSA are initially rejected, but you shouldn’t give up an attempt to obtain a SSD benefit as you can file an appeal.
Use These Tips Below When Filing an Appeal
You may have filed a disability claim and had it denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This happens far too often and it means the applicant has to go through the appeal process. To help support your appeal you should use the following tips:
- Provide a detailed report from your neurologist;
- Provide evidence to prove you are disabled;
- Ask for an RFC to be conducted by your physician;
- Provide details of medications and medical treatment.
- Get a free case evaluation
Tip#1 Provide a detailed report from your neurologist
You will want to meet with your neurologist to discuss your condition and to determine if you match any of the listings in the Blue Book. The neurologist will compile a report stating how your stroke is preventing you from working and how it is affecting everyday life.
Tip#2 Provide evidence to prove you are disabled
Your neurologist should help you with providing the evidence you need which could include any of the following:
- Imaging results such as CT scans, MRI, or brain scans that show how the affect of the stroke can be seen;
- Proof that you find it difficult to communicate both in understanding, hearing and speaking;
- Proof that you find it hard to move your arms, legs, fingers, hands, wrists and shoulders, especially in relation to participating in a job;
- Problems you may be experiencing in walking or standing including need for an assistive aid;
- The mental problems you have interacting with others;
- The mental problems you have with concentrating so that you can’t keep up to the pace of work.
Tip#3Ask for an RFC to be conducted by your physician
You can collect an RFC form from your local Social Security office or if you are able to do so you may download it from the Social Security website. Once you have obtained the form, arrange an appointment with your physician and s/he will conduct some physical and mental tests and fill in the RFC form with the results.
Tip#4 Provide details of medications and medical treatment.
An ischemic stroke is the most common and if treated as soon as possible after its occurrence with a clot-dissolving medicine called tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) it can improve the recovery rate, especially if it's administered as soon as possible after the stroke happens. You will need to provide evidence if this treatment method has been successful. The same applies if your doctor uses a thin, flexible tube (catheter) and a tiny cage to eliminate the blood clot that initiated the stroke.
Tip#5 Get a free case evaluation as a disability attorney can dramatically increase your chances of obtaining a disability benefit when you file an appeal.
