Disability Benefits for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system in the brain and spinal cord. It is a very debilitating disease characterized by attacks at various times that can have varying symptoms, levels of severity, and duration of disease. Symptoms may go away completely between attacks, or you can be left with decreases in your level of function after each attack. Some of the symptoms that you can experience are:

• Weakness of any muscle
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Pain throughout the body
• Loss of vision
• Hearing loss
• Loss of bowel/bladder function
• Decreased mental capacity

During an attack that is severe these symptoms will cause quite an impairment in function and patient often require hospitalization to control these flare ups. It is a burden to live with the fear of the next attack and if you have the type where you do not fully recover after an attack you will gradually lose function over time.

Getting Disability Benefits for Multiple Sclerosis

You can apply for SSI through Social Security if you meet one of two criteria:

1. By means of a medical vocational allowance
2. By meeting or equaling the requirements of the multiple sclerosis listing (listing 11.09) in the social security administration's impairment listing manual

To meet the first criteria, you must be able to show in your medical records that the condition is severe and has lasted or can be expected to last a period of no less than twelve months. During this frame of time you must be able to prove that it has debilitated you to the point where you can no longer perform your job or any other suitable form of work.

The second way to get benefits is based on fulfilling one of three specific criteria of MS under the listing that would grant the award of benefits. You would only need to prove one of the three apply to you, not all of them.

1. Motor function impairment – based on the impairment of 2 extremities OR by significant weakness with repetitive activity
2. Visual impairment – based on decreased visual acuity usually 20/200 or worse
3. Mental impairment – based on the diagnosis of MS and new onset organic mental disorder

Reasons for Denials and How to Appeal

Not fully being able to prove these criteria may be cause for denial of claims. The first way described is the more preferred way to claim disability for MS. If you are denied at first, seeking help from a lawyer can help. The lawyer can help you to build your case to prove that your condition is debilitating enough to prevent you from work and as long as you fit the twelve month minimum timeframe he should be able to get you the benefits you need.