Crohns disease can most certainly be described as any inflammation of any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but most often Crohn’s disease is the inflammation of the distal ileum or colon. Sometimes complete removal of the colon is required, however this is no guarantee that the pain will stop. Most Crohns disease claimants go through episodes of the disease, the key part of the Social Security listing for it is, how long does the period of recurrence last? How long does persistence last? How long does the intermittent obstruction last?

Although difficult to discuss, the main issues with Crohn’s disease can be the constant diarrhea and weight loss, the diarrhea is so difficult sometimes that it prevents clients from keeping their job. The weight loss can lead to devastating health issues, and without medical treatment, possibly death.

The drugs used to treat Crohn’s disease can have terrible side effects. The drug Prednisone is used in the most severe cases of the disease. It is most important to describe these side effects to Social Security Disability. Hospital stays are generally part of a client’s treatment if they have been prescribed Prednisone, it is a sign of how serious the condition has become for the client.

The importance of all medical records and client’s testimony relating to this disease cannot be understated. The medical records for a Crohns disease claimant reveal the doctors thoughts, treatments, recurrence, and treatment of the disease, the records are also used to show an arthritic condition that occurs with Crohns disease.   The testimony although sometimes hard for the client to discuss is essential as well, it is so very important to let Social SecurityDisability know about your conditions including, diarrhea, fevers, arthritis, and pain.

I would be please to speak with you about your disability claim, there is never a fee at my law office unless I win your claim, and there is no obligation for calling. Feel free to reach me at toll free (877) 271-2633 or our local number at (615) 308-2633.

I look forward to hearing from you.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

Many signs of Bipolar disorder are things such as; Decreased energy; feelings of guilt; flights of ideas; feelings of grandeur; lack of sleep; sleeping for long periods of time; and eating disorders. There are a host of issues that result from Bipolar disorder, the above few illustrate the difficulty in functioning daily, and these above issues do not include all the side effects mental health drugs prescribed to controll these symptoms produce.    

The condition for Bipolar disability are met when you have documented medical proof of the condition. The disability needs to be documented to almost its onset, (the year is started). It is very helpful in these cases to have the psychiatrist  fill out a form known as a medical source statement. The medical source statement is a form that allows the Dr. to tell the Social Security Disability department about your current condition, it can be viewed by the judge, as well as the other individuals that review your claim at the department of disability.

Many times people who suffer from some form of mental illness such as Bipolar disorder, also have a substance abuse problem. Many times I find that my clients are what is refered to as self medicating, because they cannot afford the expensive mental health drugs to stablize their condition. This issue can and must be explained to Social Security Disability, as long as the claimant is free of substance abuse now, that past self medication is not an absolute bar to obtaining your disability.

If you or a loved one suffer from Bipolar disorder, please give my office a call, we would be pleased to speak with you at toll free (877) 271-1633 or local at (615) 308-2633.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

The first such additional condition that most people do not think about is breathing, many of my burn clients have had to go on supplied oxygen to help with their breathing. In an explosion, sometimes the flames are quiet literally burning the lungs through the windpipe, once the lungs are scared it can be difficult, if not impossible to breath without the use of  oxygen. Many clients involved with burns suffer permanent scarring of the lungs. As one might think, many employers simply will not allow you to work at their place of business, if you require the assistance of an oxygen tank.

The second problem is how the environment affects the burned areas of your body. Many people do not realize that many burned areas of the body once repaired, do not contain sweat glands, thus the client applying for disability cannot sweat, and must avoid heat and direct sunlight, this severely impairs the chances of being employed, and may eliminate any and all chances of employment. Likewise cold weather can affect a burn client’s skin as well, many if not all burn clients of mine must avoid cold weather as well as hot weather.

The third element that arises in burn cases is the scarring and mental aspects that many people suffer as a result. While the scares are visible, the mental aspects are not so visible, however this can be shown by a doctors observation of you or your loved one or family member. A medical professional can evaluate your mental condition as it relates to your disability.

If you need assistance in your disability claim, please feel free to give the law office a call at 1 (877) 271-2633 or call local at (615) 308-2633.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

The time between  receiving the letter and your disability hearing is a great time to gather and or make Social Security Disability aware of your continuing treatment, or for those who cant afford any treatment, it is a time to see some of the Social Security Doctors, or other health care professionals for the evaluation of your disability.  This is also a great time for me to review your records, and before your hearing date write a pre-trial brief.

I prepare a brief for your disability hearing to help point the judge to our strongest medical arguments for your disability claim. It is a brief including your medical records, your history of work, education, and procedural things like when you applied and were denied. It allows the judge to get a snap shot of your case before and during your hearing.

I am often asked, Do I have to say anything?  Simply the answer is yes, the disability judge will generally ask you questions about your daily activities, your financial history, your work background, and most importantly your health issues. Honesty in this questioning is crucial to your case, it is never acceptable to answer the judge with anything but the truth.  Many times my clients are fearful of some of their answers hurting the claim, and most of their worries are unfounded, honesty is always the best policy at your hearing.

How long until I get a ruling from the disability judge, after my hearing? There is no timeline for a decision, but usually I would say 4 to 5 weeks until a decision will be made. They will send a copy to me as your lawyer, and to you.

These are a few of the things that occure at your hearing for Social Security Disability, should you have any questions always feel free to phone the law office at toll free 1-800-271-2633 or local at 615-308-2633.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

Where to apply for disability? You may apply either by telephone, in person at the office of Social Security, by mail, and by the website of the Social Security Department.

What happens after I apply, will I automatically get my disability? Generally speaking the answer is no, most people do not get their disability approved after their initial application.

What happens after I am denied my disability the first time? After your denial you may appeal this decision, this appeal is called reconsideration, you are asking the Social Security Disability agency to reconsider their decision, unfortunately most people are again denied at this stage as well.

What happens if they deny my appeal? You have a right to ask a Federal Administrative Law Judge to hear your case, as with this entire process you have dead lines you must meet, otherwise your claim will dismissed based on you failing to take action in the allotted time frame.

What happens at the trial of my case? You will need to have all of your medical records up to date, a trial brief is a good idea to present to the judge, your testimony, ability to cross examine the vocational expert, an understanding of the grid system, the listings, the classification of your prior jobs, the exertion limits and how they apply to possible jobs the vocational expert might say  you can perform, these are a few of  the things that should be done at your hearing before the judge.

How do I pay an attorney, I can’t afford one? I am payed only if I win your case, and only if there is back pay owed to you, (back pay is the money you receive if you win your claim based on the months it has taken since your date of illness that stopped you from working). The government witholds a fee from your back pay, to pay your attorney. The government caps the amount of money that can be paid to the attorney.

What is the difference if someone said they are an advocate, but not an attorney? As an Attorney I was required to attend law school for 3 years to obtain my law degree, 4 years of college, and pass a test administered by the State of Tennessee called a Bar exam, then I became licensed to practice law. An advocate that is not an attorney, has not become licensed by the Bar of their state, and has probably not attended law school, you may want to ask if the person you are allowing to represent you is a Licensed Attorney or just an advocate.  

As a Licensed Attorney I would pleased to speak with you about your disability claim, please give us a call anytime Monday through Saturday at toll free (877) 271-2633.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

One of the most important factors will be your medical records, and if a medical professional has not seen you have a seizure, then providing a witness will be very important. Below you can read the technical requirements that disability sets out for seizures / epilepsy.

11.02 Epilepsy convulsive, (grand mal, psychomotor), these are documented by detailed description of a typical seizure pattern, including all associated phenomena; occurring more frequently than once a month, in spite of at least 3 months of prescribed treatment. With:

A. Daytime episodes (loss of consciousness and convulsive seizures); or

B. Nocturnal episodes manifesting residuals which interfere significantly with activity during the day.

11.03 Epilepsy non convulsive (petit mal, psychomotor, or focal)  documented by detailed description of a typical seizure pattern, including all associated phenomena; occurring more frequently than once weekly in spite of at least 3 months of prescribed treatment. With alteration of awareness or loss of consciousness and transient postictal manifestations of unconventional behavior or significant interference with activity during the day. 

Should you need assistance with your disability claim, please feel free to phone the office Monday through Saturday at our toll free number (877) 271-2633 or local at (615) 308-2633. We look forward to hearing from you.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

Aspergers Syndrome prevents an individual from understanding the basic social functions like, expressions, gestures, and or how someone conveys a feeling by the language of their body movements. It is hard to convey this difficulty to people who are not familiar with it. Many times I have let one of the caretakers or parents testify at the hearing to explain to the judge how the child interacts with the family and the general public. It is a hard thing to explain to the judge that the child sitting their quietly in the court is disabled.

In presenting a case of Aspergers Syndrome it is important to have a diagnosis from a physician who is familiar with the problem. The most important things include the diagnosis, the child being present, and testimony from the parent or parents. It is necessary to convey to the court the childs social interactions issues, because in a small courtroom the child may present as quite and well grounded mentally, when in fact that is not the case at all.

Should you need assistance in your claim for disability, please feel free to phone me Monday through Saturday at our office toll free (877) 271-2633 or local at (615) 308-2633. We look forward to hearing from you.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

It is a disorder that is not generally seen by others, unless they live with you, or are around you quite often. It is for this reason that your testimony and medical records are so very important, explaining to the judge your episodes of PTSD can be very difficult, but it is necessary to establish your  disability claim. Below you will find the technical listing that Social Security establishes PTSD under:

The required level of severity for these disorders is met when the requirements in both A and B are satisfied, or when the requirements in both A and C are satisfied:

A. Medically documented findings of at least one of the following:

1. Generalized persistent anxiety accompanied by three out of four of the following signs or symptoms:

 a. Motor tension; or

 b. Autonomic hyperactivity;

 c. Apprehensive expectations; or

 d. Vigilance and scanning; or

2. A persistent irrational fear of specific object, activity, or situation which results in a compelling desire to avoid the dreaded object, activity, or situation; or

3. Recurrent sever panic attacks manifested by sudden unpredictable onset of intense apprehension, fear, terror, and sense of impending doom occurring on the average of at least once a week; or

4. Recurrent obsessions or compulsions which are source of marked distress; or

5. Recurrent and intrusive recollections of a traumatic experience, which are a source of marked distress; and

B. Resulting in at least two of the following:

 1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living;  or

 2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or

 3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace or

 4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration; or

C. Resulting in complete inability to function independently outside the area of one’s home.  

Should you need assistance with your PTSD claim, please free to phone the law office. You may reach us daily Monday through Saturday at toll free (877) 271-2633 or local at (615) 308-2633 . I look forward to hearing from you.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

A. Medical documented persistence, either continuous or intermittent, of one or more of the following:

1.Delusions, hallucinations; or

2. Catatonic or other grossly disorganized behavior; or

3. Incoherence, loosening of associates, illogical thinking or poverty of content of speech if associated with one of the following;

a. Blunt effect; or

b. Flat effect; or

c. Inappropriate affect; or

4. Emotional withdrawal and or isolation; and

B. Resulting in at least two of the following:

1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or

2.Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or

3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration persistence or pace; or

4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration; or

C.  Medically documented history of chronic schizophrenic, paranoid, or other psychotic disorder of at least 2 years duration that has caused more than a minimal limitation of ability to do basic work activities, with symptoms or signs currently attenuated by medication or psychosocial support, and one of the following:

1. Repeated episode of decompensation each of extended duration; or

2. A residual disease process that has resulted in such marginal adjustment that even minimal increase in mental demands or change in the environment would be predicted to cause the individual to decompensate; or 

3. Current history of 1 or more years inability to function outside a highly supportive living arrangement, with an indication of continued need for such an arrangement.

Schizophrenia is a real and dibilitating condition, this disease does not know and age limit, high or low, I have represented claimants in their teens, all the way to their sixties. Most individuals require the help of someone living with them, this disease takes a toll on both the claimant and the family, especially if money is an issue, as it is with most people. The money to care for someone most of the day, every day is quite high.

The medical records are very important in these cases, for sometimes an individual can appear ok at a hearing, but with the aid of their medical records I can explain to the judge their true condition. Should you need assistance with your claim, or the claim of a friend or loved one suffering from Schizophrenia, please give me a call Monday through Saturday at toll free (877) 271-2633 or local at (615) 308-2633, I would be pleased to speak with you.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

Autism is charaterized by qualitative deficits in the development of reciprocal social interaction, in the development of verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and in amaginative activity. Often, there is a markedly restricted rertoire of activiites and interests, which frequently are stereotyped and repetitive.

The required level of severity for these disorders is met when the requirements in both A and B are satisfied.

A. Medically documented finding of the following:

1. For autistic disorder, all of the following:

a. Qualitive deficits in reciprocal social interaction; and

b. Qualitive deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication and in imaginative activity; and

c. Markedly restricted repertoire of activities and interest;

OR

2. For other pervasive developmental disorders, both of  the following:

a. Qualtive deficits in reciprocal social interaction; and

b. Qualitive defecits in verbal and non verbal communication and in imaginative activity;

AND

B. Resulting in at least two of the following:

1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or

2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or

3. Marked difficulties in mainting concentration, persistence, or pace; or

4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration.

I have represented children with Autism, I understand how emotionally and financially heavy the strain can be, should your loved one be suffering from Autism please give me a call at any time Monday through Saturday at toll free (877) 271-2633 or local at (615) 308-2633, I would be pleased to speak with you.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.