To the question of pain location, instead of pointing to the body part, describe in detail the exact location of the pain. Does the pain affect your ability to interact with your children or spouse? In terms of politics, someone born in 1959 would have been too young to vote in the JFK election but would have been old enough to vote in Nixons re-election. Advocates of acupuncture believe that this stimulates the bodys natural ability to heal itself and can be used to treat a wide variety of physical and mental conditions. Effects of pain: Does the pain affect how much you can lift? Paint an accurate picture and the judge is more likely to believe you. Pain is often hard to describe, but you should do your best to relate your pain as specifically as possible to the judge. You might also consider hiring a disability lawyer or a non-lawyer representative to help you with your claim. Where is it located? Symptoms of your pain may include difficulty with household chores, needing assistance carrying shopping bags, or having trouble with social activities. There are many other ways to describe someone who is perceived as unintelligent or slow without using offensive language. To qualify for SSI, you must have a limited income and few resources. Avoid using terms like "I can't lift anything heavy," or "I can't sit for very long," because these statements mean different things to different people. The judge will also ask about your medical history. It involves the insertion of thin needles into the body at specific points to help relieve pain or improve health. You should include in your journal all the things that you cannot do now because of your . It involves the insertion of thin needles into the body at specific points. One way to manage pain is to take medication. Some people find that they need periodic tune-ups after their initial course of treatment to keep their condition under control. There are also many natural methods that you can use to manage pain. Sedentary work takes place mostly sitting down, but allows lifting up to 10 pounds, occasionally carrying objects (like files), and walking and/or standing up to two hours per day. Finally, it is important to remember that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is looking for cases that are severe enough to prevent an individual from being able to work at all. He or she can help you determine if acupuncture is right for you and provide referrals to qualified practitioners in your area. Although pain is a symptom and we easily recognize it when we experience it, pain is nevertheless hard to describe. It can be hard to remember on your own how you feel each day. I have seen many medical records where during an office visit, a client replied only by saying Fine after being asked by the doctor How are you doing? In such cases, the clients chart might reflect something like: Patient stated that she is doing fine today. The word fine does not win a social security disability case. Listed below are frequently asked questions about Step 4 and Step 5 of the process. My question: Is it legal and ethical for my lawyer to charge me extra (above and beyond the 25%) for more medical records than what SSA already has? I dont expect an answer or response, I just want to share the situation I am thrown into. 2. Stayed on the couch w/ice and pain meds. One of the reasons for this requirement to avoid situations where attorneys might be tempted to bribe clients to get their cases. MEDICAL REASONS. It can also be triggered by a fall or an awkward movement. What do the medications help with? This simple scale asks patients to rate pain from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain at all, and 10 being the worst pain possible. Intellectual disability is defined as significantly reduced intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. This means that someone with an intellectual disability will have difficulty with everyday tasks and may require assistance in order to live independently. I make adjustments to my schedule throughout the day depending on the intensity of the symptoms which I experience daily on varying levels. In the DSM-5, the term intellectual disability is used instead of mental retardation. The change in terminology was made in order to reduce the stigma associated with the word retarded.. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting more than 3 million Americans of all ages. This may include things like performance reviews from before and after your diagnosis, letters from your employer documenting any accommodation they have made for you, or even testimony from co-workers about how your condition has affected your job. But you may want to look through the list and make a note of the words that seem to best describe your pain. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that wont restrict your movement. Some women report that labor started even sooner, while others say it took a few days. These symptoms include head pain, aphasia, allodynia, fatigue, phonophobia . Thus, a judge assigned to your case may not fully understand the extent your pain if you merely state you have pain. What do disability judges look for? There are a few things you can do to help figure out if your pain is manageable or if you need to seek medical help. Score: 4.7/5 ( 30 votes ) If you're between 60 and 66, you may have an easy time getting disability benefits while saving your full retirement benefits. Nature of the pain: What is the pain like? Also, how will I know what extra med records he has gotten? For example, telling a judge that you cook meals, do laundry, and run . Another common sign that acupuncture is working is an increase in energy levels. The best way to determine how often you should get acupuncture is to consult with a qualified practitioner who can tailor a treatment plan specifically for you. They will be able to help you determine the cause of your pain and develop a treatment plan to help relieve it. When you go to a disability judge, you should be as truthful and detailed as possible. A medical professional will be able to diagnose and treat your pain in the most effective way possible. My lawyer wanted me to tell him just 1 medical problem I have. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. A common technique for describing the severity of pain is to rate it on a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable. When you are in pain, it can feel like all you can think about is the pain itself. Finally, it is important to reach out to friends and family for support. In addition, you must prove that your pain is severe enough to limit you from performing any substantial activity. Theres no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. You have fewer side effects from medication. Triggers: What events trigger your pain, if any? This means that you worked long enough - and recently enough - and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides financial assistance to people with certain medical conditions that prevent them from working. How long can you sit, stand or walk? You could be eligible for up to $3,345 per month In SSDI Benefits. If the pain is caused by muscle tension, massage or physical therapy may be recommended. Taking sheets off bed. Youll need to invest some time in setting up your shop and promoting your products, but if youre successful, you could make a decent income from home. 2. No longer able to make and eat 3 meals a day. 2. lawyer not returning calls I do think it is reasonable for you to expect your lawyer to update you as to the status of your case. We need this information to see if you can do any of your past work. 8. mid and lower back / sharp shooting. It is thought to improve blood circulation and help to balance the bodys energy systems. But witness letters help the judge picture how the evidence in your medical reports actually translate to your daily life. The judge will ask you to rate the severity of your pain on a scale of one to ten. An ALJ may ask you to rate your pain according to the 10-point pain scale. Making decisions about people who suffer from chronic pain is one of the most troublesome of the problems faced by public and private insurers who determine eligibility for disability, including the Social Security Administration (SSA). As mentioned above, fellow blogger Tomasz Stasiuk has written on this topic as well and has offered some great tips on how to effectively describe pain in a disability case. My dilema is the lack of appropriate health care in MICHIGAN. Just think about how long it will take you to get there at your current pace and youll have a good idea of how far away it really is. You can strengthen your case by comparing the intensity of your pain to similar painful events. Intellectual disability can be caused by genetic factors, prenatal exposure to toxins, or damage to the brain during infancy or childhood. Write down any questions you have for your practitioner. But most people dont suffer from a pain level of 10 daily. Some people feel pain more than others. Disability claims examiners and administrative law judges love numbers, so (when possible) describe your mobility problems using a specific amount such as pounds, minutes, or miles. Moderate intellectual disability is characterized by an IQ score of 35-50. 8. Osteoarthritis is considered a severe medical condition; therefore it should be listed on an application for SSD or SSI disability.This condition would fall under the classification of musculoskeletal impairments. What pain does the medication not relieve? Does it come and go or is it constant? Of course, not all of these will provide an accurate picture of what you experience. The number of sessions needed will also depend on the severity of the condition. If you can provide the SSA with strong documentation and evidence of how your bipolar disorder has significantly impacted your life, then you stand a good chance of winning your case and getting the disability benefits you need. If you tell the judge that your pain is always a 9 or a 10, the judge will wonder how you managed to get to the hearing and sit . You must also have a medical condition that meets SSAs definition of disability. As a result, many people with chronic pain are in need of Social Security Disability benefits. Check Eligibility. The most important thing is to find the root cause of the pain, as this will help determine the best course of treatment. There are many different causes of pain, but some of the most common include: -Injuries: When you injure yourself, whether its a small cut or a major surgery, your body responds by sending pain signals to your brain. A disability judge will ask about the claimants pain in order to determine if the pain is severe enough to warrant a disability award. The most important way to answer an ALJ's questions is with honesty. The intensity of pain can range from a dull headache, to an agonizing toothache, to the more severe type of pain commonly associated with chronic conditions such as migraine headaches, Fibromyalgia, and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). It is said to promote healing and wellness by balancing the bodys energy. It feels like someone stabbing the back of my head. If your disability isnt directly related to the requirements of the job, do not mention it. Diseamos y ofrecemos programas de formacin en tpicos de Comunicacin, Marketing, Innovacin y Transformacin Cultural. People with disabilities should never have to go through life alone. Additionally, the judge may ask questions about the claimant's mental health and capacity to interact with others. Do you experience pain only when your skin is touched or when you try to move. The term mental retardation is still used in some legal documents and laws. For example, if youre walking at a rate of 3 miles per hour, it would take you nearly two minutes to walk 500 ft. Again, pain must be described in other words than by just saying I hurt. As noted in earlier posts, keep a journal handy and write down your daily symptoms and experiences with pain. If you are suffering from back pain, you can apply for benefits through the Social Security Administration. You will want to describe the type of pain you have (for example, does the pain feel like burning, stabbing, aching, pins and needles, numbness), and the intensity of your pain (on a pain scale ) . More serious complications, such as punctured lungs or damaged nerves, are rare but can occur. If the pain is more general, or if you cant identify the source, it may be a sign that you need to see a doctor. Difficulty concentrating or thinking. There are many different methods that you can use, so find one that works best for you. Some people feel pain differently than others. A pain scale is a tool that doctors use to help assess a person's pain. If you were injured while on the job, do not lie about it. Is it a constant ache that progresses to spasms as it evolves? Saying You Can Work - Do not say that you are able to work, or that the only reason you are not working is because no will hire you. Be careful to avoid exaggeration when using this technique. 5. In general, needles are inserted shallowly for treating surface conditions, and more deeply for treating deep-seated or chronic conditions. It can be the result of a long-term illness, or an injury. Something like: A day in the life of X (your name). It does not have to be in some fancy, formal writing style. For example, if your pain is in your right arm, say that the pain radiates from my shoulder to my elbow and to my wrist. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. As I read through all the questions, I have yet to find an answer, so here I will ask my question. 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Severe intellectual disability is characterized by an IQ score of 20-35. Taking too much medication can be dangerous. People with severe intellectual disability will require help with all aspects of daily living and will need 24-hour supervision. Specifically the judge will want to know how long you can stand and sit, how far you can walk, how much you can lift, and so forth. Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that has been used for centuries in Asia. Do any medications or other treatments provide you with relief? In some cases, pain can be treated through a combination of medications and psychologic therapies. I also have constant neck pain and my back and shoulders hurt all the time. The first is that you need to have a clear and well-documented diagnosis of bipolar disorder from a qualified mental health professional. Second, it is important to keep a pain journal. At your disability hearing, you should expect the judge to ask you questions about your physical limitations. Try to focus on the persons strength, and how the disability has made them a better employee. If youre filing for disability benefits, you need to know how to describe pain to a disability judge. The Social Security Disability Blue Book listings address musculoskeletal conditions under adult listing 1.00, Musculoskeletal System ' Adult. In some cases, surgery may be an option. Required fields are marked *. If you're working with an Augusta Social Security disability attorney, be prepared to explain the nature and extent of your physical symptoms in a hearing. Is the pain aching, shooting or throbbing? (If you can't meet #2, then you must meet #3 to have a valid disability for anxiety claim.) Does it limit your ability to participate in activities you enjoy? Just about any exertion exacerbates it and mak. Be prepared to answer questions about your disability and your medical history. Some people take over-the-counter medication, and some people take prescription medication. If you are unsure whether or not you should use the term retarded, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid using it altogether. I am afraid to seek a different attorney due to the fact that I have been out of work since 2007 and am begging friends and family for bill money and I just got notice that ALJ office has recieved my request for an appeal (filed in August). On a scale from one-to-ten, how does your pain rate? (*) Ive had chronic pain since and feel my Doctors are no longer listening to me. There are a few different ways that disability lawyers get paid. Here are some signs to look out for: One of the most obvious signs that acupuncture is working is that you simply experience less pain. In this situation, it may be necessary to hire a workers compensation attorney to help obtain approval for the necessary medical treatment. Do events such as walking result in pain? Keeping a journal of your symptoms and pain may be useful. When pain reaches a level where it interferes with attention and concentration, that pain would impact your capacity to perform even a simple, entry-level job. This would include telling the judge what type of pain you experience (burning, stabbing, etc. An ALJ can also research and analyze laws relating to the case to help them prepare for the hearing and make an informed decision. -Chronic conditions: Conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia can cause chronic pain that lasts for long periods of time. There are several things you can inform the Judge about tha. Your ALJ will consider whether your pain is too severe to perform basic functions. Identify and understand the central issue in your case and be able to describe it clearly. 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