Tag Archives: ssd attorney
BENIGN BRAIN TUMORS & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT ARE BENIGN BRAIN TUMORS? Benign brain tumors, or noncancerous brain tumors, are abnormal growths of cells that develop in the brain. Unlike malignant tumors, benign brain tumors do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Although they are not cancerous, they can still cause problems depending on their… Read More »
THE APPEALS COUNCIL DENIES MORE THAN 80% OF APPEALS
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO APPEAL IF THE JUDGE DENIES YOUR CASE AT A HEARING If you lose your case at an ALJ hearing, then you have the right to appeal your case to the Appeals Council. An appeal must be written within 60 days of the date of the ALJ’s decision. The Appeals Council… Read More »
CONSULTATIVE EXAM TIPS – Medical Evidence Wins Your Benefits
WHAT IS A CONSULTATIVE EXAM? After you apply for Social Security Disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits, you may receive a notice in the mail. This notice schedules you for a Consultative Exam. The SSA usually schedules an exam with one of their doctors during the first six months of the appeals process…. Read More »
ESOPHAGEAL CANCER & SSD
WHAT IS ESOPHAGEAL CANCER? Esophageal cancer is a malignant cancer that affects the digestive system. The cancer occurs in the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This form of cancer is relatively uncommon compared to some other types of cancer. However, the chances of developing esophageal cancer depends… Read More »
COPD DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases. However, it is different than asthma. If you need to know more about asthma, then read here to learn about asthma benefits. The most common COPD diseases are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema destroys air sacs in your lungs and… Read More »
RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY & SSD
WHAT IS RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY? Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is one of the most important concepts in your Social Security benefits case. The reason it is so important is your RFC can make the difference between winning or losing your SSD and SSI benefits. If you can prove that your RFC prevents you from… Read More »
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER WINS SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. PTSD can occur in response to a wide range of traumatic experiences. For example, it can occur due combat, sexual or physical assault, natural disasters, accidents,… Read More »
SSA’S INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY LISTING
WHAT IS INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY? Intellectual disability (ID) is a term that is used to describe a person who has limits in their mental ability and in their communication skills, self care skills, and social skills. Children with ID take longer to learn to speak, walk, and take care of themselves. They have trouble learning in… Read More »
CROHN’S DISEASE & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS CROHN’S DISEASE? Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which can affect the gastrointestinal tract. Most often, Crohn’s disease occurs in the small intestine and the colon. Symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. Additionally, you may also experience distention of your abdomen and weight loss. Other complications… Read More »
WHY IS A VOCATIONAL EXPERT COMING TO MY HEARING?
A vocational expert is coming to your hearing to provide testimony regarding your work history. They are also going to testify about any transferable skills you may have that could use in other types of employment, despite your medical conditions. Most cases turn on the VE’s testimony at the hearing. That is why you need to hire an experienced SSD lawyer to question the VE and win your Social Security disability benefits.
DIABETES TYPE 1 & CHILDHOOD DISABILITY
WHAT IS DIABETES TYPE 1? Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Type 1 is a chronic autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. This leads to a lack of insulin in the body, which is necessary to control blood glucose levels. Type 1 Diabetes is… Read More »
CANCER OF THE FEMALE GENITAL TRACT & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS CANCER OF THE FEMALE GENITAL TRACT? Cancer of the female genital tract is a type of cancer that affects the reproductive organs in women. It includes carcinoma or sarcoma of the uterus, cervix, vulva and ovaries. This type of cancer can be caused by many factors. For example, genetics, lifestyle choices, and… Read More »
WHY DOES SSA KEEP DENYING MY CASE?
WHY ISN’T THE SSA GRANTING YOUR BENEFITS? At Cannon Disability Law, we hear a version of this question every day. People look at their neighbors and believe they should not be getting paid SSDI and SSI benefits. People compare themselves to others and think their illness is worse. Therefore, they believe they should get benefits… Read More »
OVER 50? The “GRID” Rules Help Older Workers Win Disability Benefits
OLDER WORKERS CAN WIN SSDI BENEFITS Older workers have a better chance of winning benefits because of the way Social Security law works. The SSA knows that it is difficult for older workers to change jobs and to be hired. Employers don’t always want to hire older workers. They usually have to pay an… Read More »
COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME & SSDI
WHAT IS COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME? Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition that affects millions of people around the world. The condition causes severe pain and swelling in the affected area of the body. The cause of CRPS is not known, but it is believed to be caused by an abnormal… Read More »
LYMPHOMA & DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS LYMPHOMA? Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is responsible for the production and circulation of white blood cells. The lymphatic system is made up of a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes that spreads throughout your body. Therefore, if you have cancer of the… Read More »
THYROID CANCER & SSDI BENEFITS
DOES THYROID CANCER QUALIFY FOR SSD BENEFITS? Thyroid cancer is a serious illness that can have a major impact on your life. For example, if you have thyroid cancer it may require expensive treatments and you may be unable to work. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration provides Social Security Disability benefits and Supplemental Security… Read More »
GETTING MARRIED: WILL I LOSE MY SSI BENEFITS?
Getting married doesn’t automatically end SSI benefits. What ends SSI benefits is the “INCOME AND ASSETS” of your spouse. If your spouse has a full time job, then some of that income will be counted as yours. That may reduce your SSI benefits. Please call the SSA if you want to know how a… Read More »
SHOULDER PAIN & SSDI BENEFITS
CAN SHOULDER PAIN QUALIFY FOR SSD BENEFITS? Shoulders are complex joints and can be a source for pain and disability. The shoulder is made up of the arm bone and the collarbone. The scapula and the clavicle work together to form the glenohumeral joint, which forms a cage around the head of your humerus…. Read More »
DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR NECK PAIN
WHAT CAUSES NECK PAIN? Neck pain has many causes, including nerve compression, neck injury, muscle spasms and degenerative disc disease of the neck. Most people, at one time or another, experience neck pain. But, with time and treatment, neck pain usually doesn’t interfere with our ability to work. Obviously, the Social Security Administration doesn’t… Read More »
NEW MEDICAL CONDITIONS ON SSA’S LIST
NEW MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT ARE COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES Medical conditions which are so severe that you should be paid SSDI and SSI benefits are called Compassionate Allowances. If you have one of these severe medical conditions, then the SSA believes you should automatically qualify for benefits. The Compassionate Allowances program identifies claims that meet Social… Read More »
ENDOCRINE DISORDERS & DISABILITY
WHAT ARE ENDOCRINE DISORDERS? Endocrine disorders are a group of diseases which affect the glands of the endocrine system. Disease can be caused by hormonal imbalance, autoimmune issues, genetic mutations, or environmental factors. The most common endocrine conditions include diabetes, thyroid disease, and obesity. When an endocrine gland is not functioning properly it produces… Read More »
WHAT IS THE WAIT TIME FOR THE HEARING DECISION?
WHAT IS THE WAIT TIME TO GET A HEARING? Just a few months ago, in October 2022, it took an average wait time of 13 months to get a hearing. The wait time starts from the date you file your request for hearing to the date of your hearing. There is a long wait… Read More »
HOW TO GET BOTH VETERAN BENEFITS & SSDI BENEFITS
WHAT ARE VETERAN DISABILITY BENEFITS? VA benefits are for veterans who were on active duty in the military and were injured or disabled during their service. Additionally, you can also win benefits if your post service medical condition relates to your time in service. This is true, even if your medical condition arose after… Read More »
WHEN DO SSDI BENEFITS END?
WHAT ARE THE REASONS THAT SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS END? There are a number of reasons why Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can end. This article will discuss the four most common reasons for an end to your Social Security Disability benefits. The first event that usually ends SSDI benefits is an improvement… Read More »
WHAT YOU NEED FROM YOUR DOCTOR TO PROVE DISABILITY
THE BURDEN TO PROVE DISABILITY IS ON YOU Your doctor can help you prove to the SSA that you have a severe medical condition. You need the help of your doctor, because the burden to prove that you deserve benefits is on you. Submitting medical evidence is important, but statements from your doctor about… Read More »
DISABLED? CAN YOU GET FORGIVENESS OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT?
STUDENT LOAN DEBT AND DISABILITY Student loan debt is almost impossible to pay if you have a disability that keeps you from working. In fact, it is a huge problem to pay any bills when you cannot work due to a severe mental or physical medical condition. Probably, you are going to want to… Read More »
OCD & DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS OBSESSSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental condition in which a person has overwhelming obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive thoughts do not just occur every once in awhile. Instead, if you have OCD, then you have constant thought and feelings that you do not want to have. Likewise, the compulsions that occur… Read More »
WHAT IS A TRIAL WORK PERIOD?
YOU WON SSD BENEFITS. NOW YOU WANT TO TRY GOING BACK TO WORK. CAN YOU? Do you know what a “trial work period” is? Let’s talk about the typical scenario for a trial work period. You won SSDI benefits and one year has gone by. Perhaps you had surgery and are feeling better. Maybe… Read More »
UTAH RESOURCES FOR THE BLIND
UTAH RESOURCES & DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR THE BLIND If you need help with Utah SSD benefits or other resources because you are blind, then you have found the right law firm. Cannon Disability Law is on your side. We can help you receive monthly disability payments and also win past due disability benefits. Additionally,… Read More »
ALS DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR LOU GEHRIG’S DISEASE
WHAT IS LOU GEHRIG’S DISEASE OR ALS? ALS disability benefits are available for you if you have Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. For the following reasons, ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a severely disabling and fatal disease. Very few people survive more than a handful… Read More »
PULMONARY EMBOLISM & DISABILITY
WHAT IS A PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE)? A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in the lungs. This can occur when the blood vessels that supply blood to the lungs become blocked. First, the blood clot forms in the legs or the pelvic area. Next, the clot travels to your lungs. When a blood… Read More »
LIVER CANCER & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS LIVER CANCER? Liver cancer occurs when your liver cells divide aggressively and multiply, creating tumors. If these tumors are in your liver, then you have liver cancer. In the United States, each year more than 40,000 people are found to have liver cancer. Worldwide, more than 800,000 people each year are diagnosed with… Read More »
COVID & DISABILITY BENEFITS
Over 1 million people have died of Covid-19 in the United States. Worldwide, that figure is currently over 6 million deaths. The impact on everyone cannot be overstated. In addition to losing lives, good health, and jobs, during the pandemic people had trouble managing stress. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has a much higher effect on the… Read More »
NEW COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES
In 2022 and 2021 there were new Compassionate Allowances. The Compassionate Allowances initiative allows Social Security to quickly identify severe medical conditions that meet the criteria for SSD benefits. Because the diseases on the list are so severe, the SSA wants to pay benefits as soon as possible. For example, fatal conditions like ALS… Read More »
THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS
THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM IS GROWING The Social Security Disability program has seen significant growth in both costs and the number of beneficiaries in the last 25 years. Since 1990, the age of the working population being paid disability benefits has more than doubled—from about 1 in 40 individuals to about 1 in… Read More »
SSA CHANGES DISABILITY LISTINGS FOR BACK CONDITIONS
Back disability benefits are, once again, going through changes by the SSA. The SSA changed their listing of medical conditions for people with a back disability. This change should concern to all lawyers and people who are seeking SSD and SSI benefits. When the SSA changes the medical criteria for benefits, it effects million… Read More »
WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF MY SSDI BENEFIT?
Do you wonder what monthly amount your SSDI benefit will be? Do you wonder how you can calculate your disability benefit payment? Then, you have come to the right place. Because we have answers to your questions. If you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit payments, then the amount you will… Read More »
DISABLED VETERANS QUALIFY FOR SSA EXPEDITED REVIEW
Did you know that Veterans who are 100% service-connected qualify for expedited review with the Social Security Administration? This means that if you apply for Social Security Disability, you may not have to wait so long for a decision. Because you are a Veteran, the SSA is giving your case faster processing. However, you… Read More »
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Neurological disorders can result in winning SSD benefits if they prevent you from working for at least 12 months. In order to win SSD and SSI benefits, your neurological condition must meet certain rules called the SSA listing. The “listing” is a long list of severe physical and mental conditions that the SSA agrees… Read More »
APPLY FOR SSD BENEFITS WITH CANNON DISABILITY
IF YOU HAVE MENTAL IMPAIRMENTS SEEK HELP TO APPLY FOR SSD BENEFITS Apply for SSD benefits with our law firm, Cannon Disability Law. We understand you need to apply for benefits. But, the SSA’s application process is difficult to understand on your own. The SSA requires you to complete an application form, submit medical… Read More »
HOW TO SPOT A SCAM – SIX THINGS THE SSA WILL NEVER DO
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SPOT AN SSA SCAM? How can you spot a scam? How do you know if it is really the SSA on the phone calling you? You may have received a phone call from someone claiming they were from the Social Security Administration. There are phone scams, text scams, and… Read More »
CAN DISABILITY BENEFITS BE GARNISHED ?
DISABILITY BENEFITS ARE SUBJECT TO GARNISHMENT FOR CHILD SUPPORT Whether or not your benefits payments can be garnished for child support payments depends on what kind of Social Security benefits you receive. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on your work history. When you pay your employment taxes, you pay into SSA’s insurance… Read More »
THE BURDEN TO PROVE DISABILITY IS ON YOU
YOU HAVE THE BURDEN TO PROVE DISABILITY AT YOUR SSA HEARING Most people think it is easy to prove disability to the SSA. Those who apply for disability benefits think they will win benefits at their hearing, if they simply explain their disabling symptoms to the Judge. But the SSA system doesn’t work like… Read More »
Dianna Cannon, J.D. – Social Security Disability Attorney – Featured in Attorney at Law Magazine 2018
DIANNA CANNON, SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY Featured in Attorney at Law Magazine, Dianna Cannon has been practicing Social Security Disability Law for more than 30 years. “I help people get their Social Security Disability benefits,” she explains. “I handle Veteran’s Disability cases and Black Lung Disability claims as well. But mostly, I handle Social Security… Read More »
IF CLAIMANT DIES CAN FAMILY RECEIVE SSD BENEFITS?
What happens when a claimant dies and there is an SSD application pending? Can a family member still receive SSD benefits on behalf of the deceased? The answer is yes. Cannon Disability Law can help your family after the death of a loved one who filed an application for SSD benefits. Sadly, this happens… Read More »
Procopio, et. al. v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Navy Veterans Lose Expedited Review for Agent Orange Exposure During Vietnam War
NAVY VETERANS SEEK EXPEDITED REVIEW OF AGENT ORANGE CLAIMS The Court of Appeals Federal Circuit, held in Procopio, et al. v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Court of Appeals Federal Circuit 12/08/2019) that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has the authority to stay disability compensation claims until January 1, 2020. This is a disappointing case for Navy… Read More »
Check Your Earnings To Protect Your Future
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT The monthly amount of your Social Security Disability benefits and your future retirement benefits is based upon your earnings. You are responsible to check your earnings statement every year. You must do this to make sure your earnings are properly reported to the SSA and IRS. When you… Read More »
RETIREMENT BENEFITS & SSD
WHAT ARE RETIREMENT BENEFITS? Retirement benefits are monthly payments from Social Security. These benefits replace a percentage of your pre-retirement income based on your lifetime earnings. The portion of your pre-retirement wages that Social Security replaces is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. This amount varies depending on how much you earn. The… Read More »
DISABILITY BENEFITS: SSI OR SSD?
SHOULD YOU APPLY FOR SSD OR SSI DISABILITY BENEFITS? Social Security Disability benefits are monthly payments that support individuals who cannot work a full-time job and have a disability. There are two different SSA programs that pay disability benefits. Those programs are Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Although both programs… Read More »
