SCLERODERMA & WINNING SSD BENEFITS

WHAT IS SCLERODERMA OR SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS?

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes abnormal growth of connective tissue. This leads to hard and tight skin and it can also affect internal organs and blood vessels. The exact cause of scleroderma is not fully understood. However, the disease is a subject of ongoing medical research.

There are two main types of scleroderma:

1. Limited Cutaneous Scleroderma: This form affects the skin on the hands, face, and feet. It causes the skin to become thick and tight. It often occurs along with changes in the blood vessels, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon.
2. Diffuse Cutaneous Scleroderma: This form occurs when there is skin involvement covering large areas of the body. However, it can also affect internal organs, making symptoms more severe.

Scleroderma can impact your life and require years of treatment. Obviously, it can also prevent you from working. In order to win SSD benefits, your symptoms must be severe and last for one year or longer. Additionally, you must apply for SSD benefits and prove to the SSA that you cannot work. You can apply online on the SSA’s website.

SCLERODERMA FACTS

Scleroderma is a relatively rare condition. It affects about 20 out of every 100,000 people in the United States. Also, it is more common in women then in men, with a ratio of about 3 to 1. Scleroderma can occur at any age, but it most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease. This means the immune system attacks healthy tissues by mistake, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Even though the disease attacks healthy tissue, it causes a range of symptoms that are different in each person. Therefore, this can make the treatment of the illness a challenge.

Symptoms range from mild to severe. For example, a common early symptom of scleroderma is Raynaud’s phenomenon. Raynaud’s occurs when your fingers and toes become cold, numb, and change color in response to cold temperatures or stress. While this can be a painful condition, it is not as severe as when scleroderma affects internal organs. For example, the disease can affect your lungs, heart, kidneys, and the digestive system. This can lead to serious health problems and the need for expert treatment.

SYMPTOMS OF SCLERODERMA

One of the symptoms of scleroderma is the skin becoming thick and hard. This symptom can limit your ability to move.

Another common symptoms is Raynaud’s Phenomenon. This occurs when small blood vessels in the fingers and toes constrict in response to cold temperatures or stress. This leads to changes in skin color. It can also cause unusual feelings in your toes and fingers and these can be uncomfortable.

Furthermore, scleroderma can impact the digestive system. This can result in symptoms like acid reflux. It can also make it difficult to swallow and absorb food.

In some instances, scleroderma symptoms extend to the respiratory system. When it affects the lungs, you may experience problems breathing. Also, you may have a chronic cough and poor lung function. This may make it difficult for you to complete your normal activities of daily living.

Joint and muscle pain can also be a part of your symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease. This pain can further hinder your ability to perform routine tasks.

In its more severe forms, scleroderma can involve internal organs, leading to a wide range of symptoms that depend on which organs are affected. This shows you the diverse nature of this condition and its potential impact on overall health.

Finally, fatigue is also a common symptom. Persistent fatigue can be a result of the disease itself or a side effect of medications used in treatment. The disease can create fatigue that prevents you from working.

TREATMENT FOR SCLERODERMA

The treatment for scleroderma depends on the specific symptoms and the extent of organ damage. It’s important to note that while there is no cure for scleroderma, treatment aims to manage your symptoms and slow down the disease.

Here are some common approaches to treatment:

Medications can be used to suppress the immune system. They may be used to slow skin and organ damage. Steroids can improve symptoms, but they are generally used in lower doses due to possible side effects. Also, blood pressure medications can manage high blood pressure, which can be a symptoms of the disease.

You can also have physical and occupational therapy. These types of therapy focuses on making you more mobile. It also improves your strength and ability to function. They can be also help manage joint and muscle symptoms.

Skin care and keeping your hands warm and protected from cold temperature is also important. Your doctor may also give you medication that dilates your blood vessels. You may also need to change your diet to manage your symptoms. If you have lung issues, then you may need to undergo respiratory therapy. Also, if you have skin ulcers or joint problems, then you may need to have surgery.

WINNING SSD & SSI BENEFITS FOR SCLERODERMA

After you submit your application for benefits, Social Security sends your file to your state’s DDS office. Next, a claims worker requests and reviews your medical records. They may then call you for an interview or send you more paperwork. They may also send you to a free exam from one of their doctors for your illness. Find out more about a free SSA doctor exam.

If the SSA sends you to a free exam with one of their doctors, then make sure that you bring the things that you use to help you walk or sit. For example, bring your cane or walker to the exam. Also, if you use a brace for your wrists or any other joints, then wear it. Finally, remember that at the exam you could be under investigation.

When the SSA worker has enough information, then they will make a decision about your benefits and notify you by mail. This normally takes three to four months at each stage of the appeal process. But, it can take longer.

If you receive a denial letter, then consider calling an SSD lawyer with years of experience. People who go to a Social Security hearing with a lawyer have a better chance of winning their benefits than those who represent themselves.

SSA’S LISTING 14.04 FOR SCLERODERMA

14.04 Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) with:

A. Involvement of two or more organs/body systems with:

1. One of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity; and

2. At least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss).

OR

B. With one of the following:

1. Toe contractures or fixed deformity of one or both feet and medical documentation of at least one of the following:

• A documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches or a wheeled and seated mobility device that requires the use of both hands; or
• An inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work related activities involving fine and gross movements, and a documented medical need for a one handed, hand held assistive device that requires the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device that requires the use of one hand; or

2. Finger contractures or fixed deformity in both hands and medical records of an inability to use both upper extremities to the extent that neither can be used to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work related activities involving fine and gross movements; or

3. Atrophy with irreversible damage in one or both lower extremities and medical records of at least one of the following:

• A documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands; or
• An inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work related activities involving fine and gross movements, and a documented medical need for a one handed, hand held assistive device that requires the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand; or

4. Atrophy with irreversible damage in both upper extremities and medical record of an inability to use both upper extremities to the extent that neither can be used to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work related activities involving fine and gross movements;

OR

C. Raynaud’s phenomenon, with:

1. Gangrene involving at least two extremities; or

2. Ischemia with ulcerations of toes or fingers and medical records of at least one of the following:

• A documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches or a wheeled and seated mobility device that involves the use of both hands; or
• An inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work related activities involving fine and gross movements, and a documented medical need for a one handed, hand held assistive device that requires the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device that requires the use of one hand; or
• An inability to use both upper extremities to the extent that neither can be used to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work related activities involving fine and gross movements;

OR

D. Repeated manifestations of scleroderma, with at least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss) and one of the following at the marked level:

1. Limitation of activities of daily living.

2. Limitation in maintaining social functioning.

3. Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace.

RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY AND SSD BENEFITS

If you have scleroderma but you don’t meet SSA’s rules, then the SSA will look at your “residual functional capacity” or “RFC.” The SSA will assess your RFC to determine what kind of work you can still due despite your physical symptoms.

If your scleroderma affects your legs, knees, or other joints, then you may have trouble walking, standing, and climbing stairs. You also may have problems when you kneel, stoop, and squat.

If that is the case, then your RFC may limit you to no more than seated work. For instance, this is work where you need to sit up to six hours in an eight hour work day. Usually, with seated work you are not required to lift more than 10 pounds. The problem with seated work is that due to joint pain, you may not be able to sit for so many hours. Likewise, you may have trouble walking or standing the other two hours of the workday.

If you are over 50 years old, then the SSA should pay you benefits if you cannot use your hands for more than two hours in a work day and you are also limited to seated work. The reason for that is even if you could perform a skilled desk job, if you cannot use your hands all day, then you cannot do the job. Find out more about the Medical Vocational Guidelines.

WE CAN HELP WIN YOUR MEDICAID & MEDICARE BENEFITS

If you cannot work due to scleroderma, then our law firm can help you apply for SSD and SSI benefits. You are also going to need health insurance to cover your medical costs.

Your ability to receive Medicaid benefits and Medicare benefits depends upon whether you win your benefits. You can obtain better health coverage with a Medicare advantage plan. Medicaid benefits are health insurance for people who have a low income. Medicaid also provides health coverage to some pregnant women, children, elderly individuals, and women with breast cancer.

The Medicaid program covers a wide range of health services. For example, it includes paying for hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, mental health services, and long term care. Your state and federal government resources pay for the Medicaid program.

Additionally, Medicaid is a health benefit that is available if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income benefits. However, to get Medicaid, you must be found unable to work and you must meet the income and asset rules of the state in which you live.

If you receive Social Security Disability benefits, then you also get Medicare benefits after a waiting period. The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical costs or most long term care costs. You have choices for how you get Medicare coverage. If you choose to have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage, then you can buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy from a private insurance company. Medicare benefits also begin when you retire or ate the age of 65.

HOW WE HELP YOU WIN SSD BENEFITS FOR SCLERODERMA

You do not need to try to win benefits by yourself. We can help file your SSD application. Also, we can help you appeal every SSA denial. For example, our attorneys and staff can:

• Send you the paperwork you need to become our client
• Help you file your application for SSD and SSI benefits
• Inform the SSA they should pay you benefits under the Compassionate Allowance Rules
• Request an appeal if you receive a denial from DDS
• Help you confirm your SSA doctor exam
• Request a Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
• Prepare you to testify at your ALJ hearing
• Represent you at your hearing and question the expert witnesses
• Read more about the job expert
• Learn more about medical expert testimony
• Review your ALJ hearing decision with you
• Request review of an SSA 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 the application. Try not to take that long to finish 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. If you need help to file your application, we will help you.

CONTACT US FOR A FREE REVIEW OF YOUR SSD BENEFITS

When you call us we will discuss your medical condition. Also, we will discuss whether you are getting treatment from a doctor and when you last worked. The more information you can give us, the better we can explain your chances of winning benefits. We will review your case for free and you don’t have to pay an attorney fee up front. Instead, you pay an attorney fee only if we win your case.

If there are costs in your case, then you pay for those costs. But the costs are usually less than $100. Usually, the only cost you will have is if a doctor charges for copies of your medical records. If so, then that is your bill to pay.

There are costs in every case. You will owe the costs in your case whether we win or lose your case. However, your attorney fees come from your back benefit. You only pay an attorney fee if we win your case. You owe no attorney fee if we do not win benefits for you. Learn more about attorney fees in SSD cases.

Hiring an attorney with legal experience to help you in your case is the best thing you can do for yourself. Contact us today. Take advantage of our free review of your case. We want to be your legal team and help you win your benefits.

OUR SSD ATTORNEYS WANT TO WORK FOR YOU

If you need help winning your benefits for scleroderma, then you have found the right law firm. You can learn more about the attorneys at our law firm on our About Us page.

For example, you may want to know that Dianna Cannon has been helping her clients win Social Security cases for over thirty years. Additionally, Brett Bunkall and Andria Summers have also won thousands of SSDI and SSI cases.

In the past 30 years, we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI cases for our clients. Our experts can help you file for SSI benefits using the SSA’s website. However, we will need your help to apply for SSI benefits. Why? Because only you know your personal financial information. SSI benefits require you to have minimal assets and monthly income.

Likewise, if you need an appeal, we can help you do that too. There are also many forms that will need to be filled out. Don’t worry. If you have questions about these forms, then we will answer them. You can learn more about SSA’s appeal forms. Call us today for help winning your SSD benefits for scleroderma.