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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: WIN YOUR SSD CLAIM

Name: Cannon Disability Law
Item: Cannon Disability Law
Rating: 5
Author: Mary Gathers

WHAT IS DIABETIC RETINOPATHY?

If you have either Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, then you have high blood sugar which can eventually damage small blood vessels. These tiny vessels are in the retina, which is the light sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. That damage to retinal vessels is what we call Diabetic Retinopathy.

In the early stage, vessel walls weaken, bulges may form, and fluid may leak into the retina. As the disease advances, the retina may start growing abnormal new blood vessels in an attempt to restore lost circulation. These new vessels are fragile and prone to bleeding.

In the most advanced cases, scar tissue may form, the retina may detach, and vision loss may follow. The risk of diabetic retinopathy goes up the longer someone has diabetes. Obviously, the risk of severe vision issues is also tied to whether or not blood sugar and blood pressure are under control. To sum up, diabetic retinopathy is one of the symptoms of diabetes that threatens vision if you do not get proper treatment.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY?

In the beginning, diabetic retinopathy often causes no symptoms. Vision may seem normal, and there may be no pain. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms begin to appear. These may include blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, or the appearance of dark spots or floaters. They occur when blood leaks into the clear gel inside the eye.

Blurred vision. Fluid between your lens and retina will obstruct your vision and make it appear as though you’re looking through water. Technically, you are looking through water.
Seeing spots or floaters. As diabetic retinopathy causes excess fluid between your lens and retina, your vision will be distorted. As light passes through your lens, it causes you to see dark spots in some places and empty holes in others.
Night blindness. As the condition worsens, focusing your vision can be difficult if not impossible. Your retinas and corneas need light to focus and in cases of diabetic retinopathy, the light must pass through the pooling liquid. This means that night blindness can be severe for those with diabetic retinopathy.
Complete blindness. Without treatment, diabetic retinopathy can permanently alter the curvature of the lens. If scar tissue pulls the retina away from the back of the eye, then you may have a sudden loss of vision. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention, as it can lead to blindness.

TREATMENT FOR DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

The treatment you receive depends on the stage of your diabetic retinopathy. For early cases, staying in control of your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can slow or stop the disease. In more advanced cases, several treatment options exist.

For example, one common treatment is anti-VEGF therapy. This involves injections into the eye to block the growth of abnormal blood vessels and reduce fluid leakage.

Laser therapy is another treatment option. It can seal leaking blood vessels or prevent new ones from growing. In severe cases, a doctor will perform a surgery that removes blood that has leaked into the eye and relieves traction caused by scar tissue. Although these treatments do not cure diabetic retinopathy, they can preserve and prevent further visual loss.

The most effective prevention remains tight control of blood sugar and regular eye care. People with diabetes should not skip their eye appointments, even when their vision feels normal. Early treatment can mean the difference between clear sight and permanent vision loss.

WHEN TO APPLY FOR SSDI & SSI BENEFITS

If you have diabetes with severe diabetic retinopathy, then you have may have a medical condition that keeps you from working. Social Security disability benefits replace your income when you cannot work.

However, you are only able to receive SSDI and SSI benefits if you have been or are expected to be unable to work for greater than one year. Injuries that will heal in under a year are not payable under the SSA system. Therefore, under Social Security rules, if you are unable to work because of a physical condition for one year, then you deserve SSDI and SSI benefits.

First, however, you have to apply for the benefits. If you have access to the internet, then you can apply on Social Security’s website. It is easy to file your application online. The SSA website walks you through the SSDI application process. All you need to do is read the questions and answer them.

If you need help, then we can help you file your application for benefits. If you receive SSDI benefits, then within 24 months of your onset date of disability, you can get Medicare benefits. Medicare benefits are a form of health insurance that pays your medical bills. Find out about Medicare benefits.

Make sure to apply for SSD and SSI benefits as soon as you know you cannot work. SSI benefits only pay out from the date of your application. SSDI can go back one year prior to application. Once you apply you have to prove your disability to the SSA.

DOES DIABETIC RETINOPATHY MEET A LISTING?

To prove you have diabetic retinopathy to the SSA, you must first show your vision meets one of the listings for vision disorders under 2.00.

Diabetic retinopathy can meet Listings 2.02 for loss of visual acuity. Likewise, it could be Listing 2.03 for loss of visual fields and Listing 2.04 for combined visual impairment. To meet a listing, you must have vision in your better eye of 20/200 or worse. Likewise, you must have a visual field of 20 degrees or less or an equivalent level of visual efficiency loss. These criteria are strict. But if your doctor provides the tests that show you meet the listing, then you can win your benefits.

Essential medical records include vision records, visual acuity and field tests, treatment history, and a statement from your doctor. Functional evidence about how your vision affects daily tasks is also important. Even if you do not meet the listing, you may still qualify based on limited functional capacity.

WIN SSD BENEFITS USING YOUR RFC

It’s rare to win SSD benefits for diabetes type 2 without other health issues. However, if your DM Type 2 causes severe symptoms, despite treatment, then there is another argument you can use. You can prove you cannot work with your residual functional capacity (RFC).

Your RFC is what you are physically capable of doing after considering all of your medical symptoms. Your doctor should write down your physical limits in your medical records. For example, if you cannot see a computer screen or TV, then your doctor needs to state that fact in your records. This is why winning your benefits depends upon the evidence in your medical records.

YOUR RFC SHOWS WHAT WORK YOU CAN DO

The SSA will look at the symptoms of your diabetes and retinopathy and determine your RFC. Then, they will decide what kind of work you can do. The types of work are: seated, light, medium, heavy, and very heavy work. The SSA will look at your work history, your age, and education level. Then, they will determine whether or not you have skills that you could use on the job.

If your diabetic retinopathy limits your ability to use a computer screen, then you might not be able to use your skills. For example, you might not be able to work using a computer for 6-7 hours a day. You might not be able to see your boss or members of the public. Diabetic retinopathy can cause a number of work related problems.

The ALJ may call a medical expert to testify about your vision. The medical expert is at your hearing to testify about your medical records. If the judge calls a medical expert to the hearing, then you need an attorney to question them. Learn about the role of the medical expert at your hearing.

Additionally, at your hearing, there will be a job expert who will testify about what jobs might be available to someone with diabetic retinopathy. The decision about your ability to work will depend largely upon the RFC your prove at the hearing.

WE OFFER A FREE REVIEW OF YOUR BENEFITS

If you need help filing for SSD benefits, then call our SSD law firm. We offer a free review of your case. When you call us explain your situation. At that point, we will look at the merits of your case. Next, we let you know if you have a chance to win SSD benefits. We do not charge you for our review.

We help clients win SSD benefits in many states. Find out how to apply for SSD benefits in your state:

Another important thing you need to do when you file for SSD benefits is create a My SSA account. The SSA is starting to require people to create an account online in order to process your SSD benefits. If you go to the SSA website, then you can easily create a secure online account. Creating the account allows you to check on the status of your claim for benefits.

HIRE THE BEST LEGAL TEAM TO WIN YOUR SSD BENEFITS

If you need to file your application for SSD benefits, then contact us. We will help you file your online application. Additionally, we offer a free review of your benefits. Moreover, it costs no up front money to hire us.

The legal team at our law firm helps thousands of people every year. We have been winning SSDI and SSI cases for over 30 years. During that time, we have won over 20,000 cases. Additionally, we have won over $100 million in SSDI and SSI benefits for our clients.

The SSA will consider all of your physical and mental conditions. Learn about physical conditions that qualify for SSD benefits. Also, learn about mental conditions that qualify for benefits. When you file your application, make sure to report all of your medical conditions to the SSA. Even if you think they are not important.

If you have diabetic retinopathy you might feel stressed. But help is available. A skilled disability attorney from our office can review your case. We can gather the right medical evidence and present your case to the SSA.

At our SSD law firm, we understand how vision loss changes lives. We know what SSA requires and how to prove your claim. With proper records and legal guidance, you can build a strong case for the benefits you deserve.