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Title: Getting Approved for Peripheral neuropathies
Neuropathy is the general medical term for any and all diseases or malfunction of the peripheral nervous system. It is more commonly referred to as Peripheral Neuropathy. The peripheral nervous system is comprised of all nerves and nerve pathways that are outside the brain and spinal cord. Neuropathy can develop gradually or suddenly, and symptoms vary in severity among individuals. Peripheral Neuropathy can be broadly categorized by the 1) type of nerve that has been damaged, 2) location of nerve damage in the body or 3) disease process that causes it. In some cases, the cause cannot be identified.
Types: There are three main types of peripheral nerves: …show more content…
motor nerves that control voluntary movement, sensory nerves that control what we sense (e.g., pain, touch, temperature), and autonomic nerves that control involuntary movement (e.g., breathing). Motor Neuropathy would therefore be Neuropathy that affected voluntary movement.
Regardless of the cause, Peripheral Neuropathy can be a very debilitating condition that may affect every aspect of an individual’s life.
It can severely limit a person’s ability to walk, stand, lift, or carry items.
Your doctor will give you both a physical and neurological examination to diagnose Peripheral Neuropathy. Tests may include nerve conduction velocity studies (NCV), electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), spinal tap, blood and urine tests, and imaging procedures such as a CAT scan or MRI scan. These tests reveal the speed at which your nerve impulses travel, measure electrical response and activity, and determine if there is an underlying cause for the condition, such as diabetes or meningitis.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider both your Neuropathy and any underlying causes in evaluating your application for Social Security Disability benefits. The SSA bases its evaluations on your residual functional capacity, that is, how well you can function even with a disabling condition. Therefore, you will be approved for disability benefits only if you can provide medical documentation to show a diagnosis of Neuropathy and supporting evidence that your Neuropathy is severe enough to restrict your activities and to prevent you from engaging in substantial work
activity.
If you are disabled because of Peripheral Neuropathy that is so severe it prevents you from working, you may well be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. Working closely with medical professionals and a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or advocate to collect and present the appropriate documentation to support your disability claim in front of the Disability Determination Services (DDS) can help ensure that your Peripheral Neuropathy disability case will have the highest possible chance of success.