HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
WHAT IS HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE?
Huntington’s disease is a rare genetic disease that causes the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. This neurological condition impacts your ability to sit, stand and walk. The condition results in being unable to control your physical movements. Also, it results in severe mental symptoms, such as dementia, depression and anxiety.
Seven out of every 100,000 people worldwide have Huntington’s disease. The symptoms can develop at any time, but they often first appear when people are in their 30s or 40s. If the condition develops before age 20, it’s called juvenile Huntington’s disease. When Huntington’s develops early, symptoms are different and the disease may progress faster.
Medications are available to help manage the symptoms of Huntington’s disease. But treatments can’t prevent the physical, mental and behavioral decline associated with the condition.
Worldwide, the disease affects 3 to 7 people of every 100,000 who have European ancestors. The disease is less common in people of Japanese, Chinese and African decent. The reason for this, according to recent studies, is that multiple, separate mutations occur in the genes of people of European decent. Those gene mutations cause the disease. Each child of a parent with Huntington’s disease has a 50% chance of having the defective gene.
THE CAUSE OF HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
Huntington’s disease is a genetic condition. It is caused by an inherited difference in one gene. You only need one copy of the gene to develop the condition. Since each person inherits two copies of every gene – one copy from your biological mother and father – one of the parents could pass the nontypical gene on to their child.
In other words, to get the condition you do not need to have both your mother and father pass you the gene. Instead, if only one parent carries the gene, each child in the family has a 50% of inheriting the condition. Therefore, Huntington’s disease is an autosomal dominant disorder.
Of course, it is possible to develop Huntington’s disease without having a medical history of it in your family. However, this is simply because one of your parents carries the gene, but has no symptoms.
THE TWO TYPES OF HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
There are two forms of Huntington’s Disease”
- Adult Onset Huntington Disease. This is the most common type of Huntington disease. Usually, people develop the symptoms of the disease between the ages of 30 and 40.
- Early Onset Huntington Disease or Juvenile Huntington’s Disease. In rare cases, children or young adults can develop the disease. Children with the disease tend to experience sudden trouble with homework and classes at school because they cannot focus. They often have symptoms that are similar to Parkinson disease. Sadly, Juvenile Huntington’s disease results in death around 10 years after symptoms begin to show.
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE STAGES
THE BEGINNING STAGE OF THE DISEASE
After Huntington’s disease starts, your ability to control your physical body gets worse over time. The progress of the disease varies. However, the time from the first symptoms to death is often about 10 to 30 years. During that time, there are various stages of the disease.
At first, a person with Huntington’s disease will start to have mild symptoms. Those symptoms are usually poor coordination, anxiety, and difficulty learning new things. The symptoms are mild enough that usually you might not notice them. However, even though you might not notice the symptoms, the cells in your brain will become damaged as time goes on.
Symptoms at this stage include twitching of the face, fingers and toes. You will have trouble with concentration and depression. In addition to a loss of coordination, you will have problems with complex movements. Once these symptoms appear, you will be in the active stages of the illness.
It can take up to 8 years to pass from this stage to the next. However, during this stage, you will be to carry on with your activities of daily living, such as driving, chores, feeding yourself, bathing and dressing. During this stage, it is likely that you will be able to work, but you might need to work a reduced schedule with fewer hours.
THE INTERMEDIATE STAGE
Once you reach the next stage of the illness, it is no longer possible to work. Also, the disease will make it so that you will need assistance with everyday tasks, such as walking and performing motor tasks. Due to movement and balance problems, you may fall. Additionally, during this stage your mental issues will increase. For example, you may have memory problems, mood swings, and deeper depression. This stage will usually go on for between five to sixteen years.
During this stage, you will begin to need advanced care, especially with regard to household chores and your finances. Your symptoms become more severe. For example, you might develop psychosis, severe cognitive problems, and apathy. Likewise, you may develop more severe physical problems with your ability to move. The problems with involuntary movements will get worse.
THE FINAL STAGE
During the final stage of the disease, you will require around the clock care. Usually, your Huntington’s symptoms will be so severe that you will have trouble doing basic movements. You will be unable to talk normally and be dependent on others for all daily activities. It is likely that you will be confined to bed. Although you may be able to understand what people are saying, it is possible that you will not recognize friends or family members
For obvious reasons, your depression may increase. During this time, the risk of suicide increases, mostly because people fear the loss of their freedom. Although depression is the most common diagnosis for those with Huntington’s disease. A smaller number of patients display mania, mood swings, hyperactivity, decreased need for sleep, and grandiosity. Some authors have estimated an average rate of mania to be 4.8%, and others have found manic episodes in up to 10% of Huntington’s patients. Mendez M.F. Huntington’s disease: Update and review of neuropsychiatric aspects. Int. J. Psychiatry Med. 1994;24:189–208.
In the final stage of the illness, you may get an injury or infection. Unfortunately, this often ends the life of those with Huntington’s disease.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL SYMPTOMS FROM HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
The movement disorders that are part of Huntington’s disease include involuntary and voluntary movement issues. For example, you may have jerking movements. This is known as chorea. Dystonia is also common. This is when your muscles contract and become rigid. As noted previously, you may be problems with balance and gait. Also, you may eventually have problems speaking and swallowing.
There are cognitive issues that go along with Huntington’s disease. These include trouble getting organized and focusing on tasks. It is possible that you may lose the ability to control your impulses and you may say and do things you wouldn’t normally do. You may have trouble finding words when you speak. Additionally, you may have difficulty learning new information.
There are also mental disorders that are part of Huntington’s disease. The most common mental symptom is depression. Learn about depression. The depression occurs because of the deterioration in the your brain cells. The symptoms may include sadness, and apathy. Additionally, you may withdraw socially from other people. You may also suffer from fatigue and suicidal thoughts.
The physical changes from Huntington’s disease are, as stated, rigid muscles that impair your ability to walk and balance. Involuntary movements, such as twitching or seizures. Eventually, the physical changes from the disease result in you being unable to control the movements of your body.
THE SSA LISTING FOR HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE IS LISTING 11.17
Huntington’s disease is a severe condition that impacts your physical and mental health. If you file an application for SSDI and SSI benefits, then you will need to prove that you meet listing 11.17. In order to meet the listing, you will need to prove that you meet Part A and Part B of the following listing.
11.17 Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, such as Huntington’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, and spinocerebellar degeneration with A or B:
A. Disorganization of motor function in two extremities, resulting in an extreme limitation in the ability to stand up from a seated position, balance while standing or walking, or use the upper extremities.
OR
B. Marked limitation in physical functioning, and in one of the following:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information; or
- Interacting with others; or
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or
- Adapting or managing oneself.
If you do not meet this listing, then it is still possible to be win benefits. However, you will need to prove your residual functional capacity to the SSA. And for that, you will need the support of your treating doctor.
YOU NEED MEDICAL RECORDS TO PROVE YOUR HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
When you first apply for benefits, you should include a copy of your medical records with your application. These records should talk about your Huntington’s disease and the symptoms you are having. The burden of proving you should be paid SSD benefits is on you. This is true even though DDS, the state agency, collects your medical records.
The reason you should submit your own records is that DDS may not collect everything. For example, DDS will probably not collect old medical records. However, these records are important to your case, because they confirm the beginning of your illness. They also show your diagnosis and may contain medical testing and a discussion of your symptoms.
If you receive a denial at any stage of the process, then make sure the SSA has a copy of all of your medical records. You may receive a letter that states your doctor has not sent your records. The letter might only give 10 days to respond.
Instead of worrying about the 10 day time frame, use your time to collect the records and get them into the SSA. Additionally, you must update all of your medical records prior to having a hearing before an SSA judge. Remember, your evidence must be submitted to the judge 5 days prior to your hearing.
YOU CAN WIN BENEFITS BY PROVING YOUR HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE IMPACTS YOUR RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY
If you do not meet or equal listing 11.17, then the SSA will examine your residual functional capacity (RFC).
The RFC is the medical assessment of what you can physically do in a work setting, despite your Huntington’s disease symptoms. For example, if your symptoms give you fatigue and tremors, then it is likely you will miss work 4-5 days per month. Being unable to attend work and complete a 40 hour work week should be part of your RFC. Because the symptoms will prevent you from working any job, even a simple one.
In terms of physical limits, the SSA defines your ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift, during the course of an 8 hour day based on your medical records. Find out how the SSA defines work.
In order to figure out your physical RFC, the SSA will take into account what your doctor says in your medical records. Also, the SSA will review any statements from their doctors. Likewise, if they need more information, they may send you to one of their doctors. Learn what to expect at SSA’s doctor exam.
The SSA will also consider descriptions about your symptoms from you and your family, neighbors and friends. This can be used as evidence for your case. Additionally, your family and friends can write statements about your symptoms. They can also write about how severe your symptoms are and what they have seen. Find out how your RFC combines with age to eliminate work. Also, review SSA’s Medical Vocational Guidelines.
WHAT OUR FIRM DOES TO HELP YOU WIN SSD BENEFITS
You do not need to try to win benefits for Huntington’s disease by yourself. Our law firm can help file your SSD application. Also, we can help you appeal every SSA denial. That way, you can focus on your health. For example, our attorneys and staff can:
- Send you the paperwork you need to become our client
- Help you file your application for SSDI and SSI benefits
- Inform the SSA they should pay your benefits under the Compassionate Allowance Rules
- Request an appeal if you receive a denial
- Help you confirm your attendance at a SSA doctor exam
- Request a Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
- Prepare you to testify at your SSA hearing
- Represent you at your hearing and question the expert witnesses
- Read about job expert testimony
- Learn about medical expert testimony
- Request review of a decision with the Appeals Council
- Request review of an Appeals Council denial in Federal Court
If you file your application for benefits online at Social Security’s website, then you have 6 months to complete it. Once you submit your application online, the SSA sends you an application summary in the mail. You must sign the summary and mail it back. Send it in quickly.
WE WILL HELP YOU WIN BENEFITS
If you are suffering from Huntington’s disease, then you may wonder whether the Social Security Administration will approve your claim for SSD benefits. If so, then call our law firm. We are the only SSDI law firm in Utah, Nevada and Idaho with over 30 years of experience. Also, we are the best SSD lawyers in the state of Utah.
We are also in the top SSD lawyers in the state of Nevada. Find out about our Nevada legal experience. We also help clients in many other states. We also have clients in Idaho, Colorado, and California. Idaho SSD benefits information is also available.
Likewise, learn information about Colorado SSD benefits. Finally, read about California SSD benefits information. Wherever you live, we will help you get your SSDI benefits. Our job is to fight for the benefits the SSA owes you.
If you want to learn more about our lawyers, then read our About Us page. For instance, Andria Summers can help you with your Medicare plan. Additionally, she has won thousands of SSD cases. Dianna Cannon has been helping SSDI and SSI clients for thirty years. Brett Bunkall also has years of experience helping people obtain their benefits. We are experts. You can trust us to help you win your SSDI and SSI benefits. Contact us today. Put our experience to work for you. We will help you win your benefits for Huntington’s disease.
