The requirements to meet this listing are things such as reconstructive surgery on  a major weight bearing  joint, this includes the knee, the listing also requires that you do not have the ability to ambulate effectively, either after the surgery or since you are not a candidate for surgery, you cannot ambulate effectively in your condition. The pain associated with knee problems is tremendous, due to the fact that it is always under pressure from the weight of your body. 

In many cases of knee replacement, the pain is constant and the medications used to alleviate the pain are so strong that the claimant cannot perform past work, and or any sedentary work that might be available. Even in sedentary work an individual might be required to use pedals or foot controls, and many knee replacement claimants cannot tolerate the pain from these requirements.

Should you need assistance with your claim for social security disability, please give me a call, if you cant come to us, we will come to you. 

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.

Under Social Security Disability there is a listing for ALS. The diagnosis may be made by electrophysiological study, your history, and neurological findings that are generally the same as ALS. Currently there is not one test to determine if in fact you have ALS.

Social Security Disability requires the diagnosis to be made with generally accepted medical practices. The generally accepted practices are really just what is accepted in the medical community as the proper way to diagnose ALS.

While there is not currently a cure, being able to have insurance and a monthly check through Social Security for treatment can ease one of the burdens that this disease puts on a person. If you need assistance with your disability claim please feel free to phone the office at anytime Monday through Saturday at toll free (877) 271-2633 or local at (615) 308-2633. We look forward to speaking with you.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

The Receiving of  Workman’s  Compensation Benefits on a Monthly Basis Example:

This is how the  offset provision affects your pay from Social Security Disability, when you receive workman’s compensation on a monthly basis. It works like this, lets say you receive  $2,600.00 a month from work comp, that is your monthly compensation rate. We further look to your Social Security draw per month, (this can be found on the paperwork they send you, every year around your birthday), lets say your draw is $1,000.00 per month. We now take your monthly work comp rate  of $2,600.00 a month, then we add your Social Security draw of $1,000.00 per month for a total of $3,600.00 per month, that is your income under Social Security rules. Then lets say you start to draw Social Security Disability, before they start to pay you, they look to what is 80% percent of your best years salary in the last 5 years before disability date, lets say it is $3,500.00 a month, ($42,000.00 a year divided by 12 months) so now lets say 80% of that would be $2,800.00 a month, that is your income limit for Social Security. So in conclusion you would be over your limit in this scenario by $800.00 a month, and this is the amount they would withold from your $1,000.00 a month Social Security Disability check.  

The Receiving of Workman’s Compensation Lump Sum Payment Example:

Just because you received a lump sum work comp payment does not mean there will be no offset, Social Security prorates out the money from work comp lump sum payments like this, you receive a lump sum of $40,000.00 dollars and your work comp rate is $400.00 a week, divide $40,000.00 by $400.00, this gives you 100 weeks, that is how long the offset will last. 

 There are solutions to this problem, it lies in the way the work comp is written in your settlement paperwork. Please contact the law office if you have questions concerning your disability. We look forward to speaking with you, our numbers are toll free (877) 271-2633 and local (615) 308-2633, we are available Monday through Saturday.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

Disturbance of labyrinth-vestibular function characterized by a history of frequent attacks of balance disturbance, tinnitus, and progressive loss of hearing: with both A and B:

A. Disturbed function of  vestibular labyrinth demonstrated by caloric or other vestibular tests; and

B. Hearing loss established by audiometry.

Meniere’s Disease disease effects a persons ability to balance, the attacks come and go, with no set time frequency.  Should the attacks become frequent it is nearly impossible for a person to be gainfully employed. An attack while driving a large truck, using a sharp instrument or large construction equipment could have catastrophic consequences.   

There is currently a test to determine Menieres Disease, it is called ENG. It is important to attempt to have this test performed on yourself, should you wish to pursue a disability claim. There are many side effects to the disease, including nausea, vomiting and falling down.

Should you need assistance in your disability claim, please give my law office a call anytime  Monday through Saturday at  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.

A. History of joint pain, swelling, and tenderness, and signs on current physical examniation of joint inflammation or def0rmity in two or more major joints resulting in inability to ambulate effectively or inability to perform fine and gross movements effectively, as defined in 14.00B6b and B2c; or

B. Ankylosing spondylitis or other spondyloarthropathy, with diagnosis established by findings of unilateral or bilateral sacroliitis (e.g. erosions or fusions) shown by appropriate medically acceptable imaging, with both:

     1. History of back pain, tenderness, and stiffness, and

     2.  Findings on physical examination of ankylosis fixation of the dorsolumber or cervical spine at 45 degree or more flexion measured from vertical position zero degrees; or

C. An impairment as described under the criteria in 14.02A systemic lupus erythematosus; or

D. Inflammatory arthritis with signs of peripheral join inflammation on current examination, but with lesser joint involvement than in  A and lesser extra articular features than in C, and:

     1. Significant, documented constitutional symptoms and signs (e.g. fatigue, fever, malaise, weight loss), and

    2. Involvement of two or more organs/body systems. At least one of the organs/body systems must be involved to at least a moderate level of severity.

E. Inflammatory spondylitis or other inflammatory spondyloarthropathies, with lesser deformity than in B and lesser extra-articualr features than in C, with signs of unilateral or bilateral sacroiliitis on appropriate medically acceptable imaging; and with the extra-articular features described in 14.09D.

Rheumatoind Arthritis is a dibilitating disease, it can strike young and old alike. It can deform the body and make everyday choirs seem impossible. Daily living activities such as simply shopping or driving can become to painful. If you or a loved one suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis please give me a call, I would be pleased to review your Social Security Disability claim at no charge, and there is never a fee unless I win your claim.

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.

Social Security Disability has issued a guidance ruling on Interstitial Cystitis to assist both Judges and attorneys dealing with a claim based on it. The issues involving this disease include severe urinary frequency, sever pelvic pain, depression, urinary control loss and difficulty in sleep. So one might ask, Why is this not a listing?, Why is there only a guidance ruling?   It is hard to find the medical evidence to support this condition, currently there is no test to determine if you have this disease. At a hearing of the matter before a Social Security Judge it will largely depend on your testimony as to your symptoms, and matching those symptoms to the guidance ruling posted by Social Security.

In these cases it is very important to have a good relationship with your treating physician, although there is no test, at least the doctor will have in their notes your statements about how you have been suffering from these conditions. Under the guidance ruling that Social Security Disability developed many of these symptoms are included, so although there is not a test to determine if you have this disease, there are symptoms that have been accepted by Social Security to evaluate your claim.

I believe that this is a real and debilitating disease, I have seen first hand my clients that suffer from it. Although there is not a current listing,  it is very helpful to me as your attorney to have the new guidance rules to assist you in obtaining your disability. Please call the law office at toll free  (877) 271-2633  or  local at (615) 308-2633 to discuss your claim, I would be pleased to speak with you.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

Diabetes with;

A. Neuropathy demonstrated by significant and persistent disorganization of motor function in two extremities resulting in sustained disturbance of gross and dexterous movements or gait ans station; or

B. Acidosis occurring at least on the average of once every 2 months documented by appropriate blood chemical tests (ph or pC02 or bicarbonate level; or

C. Retinitis proliferans; evaluate the visual impairment under the criteria in 2.02, 2.03 or 2.04

Diabetes can result in severe weakening of the body, and or frailty along with instability in standing or walking. It is hard to show these things on paper through your appeal and reconsideration, even if they are contained in the medical records. At a hearing of the matter before a Social Security Judge it is more easily shown through your appearance and testimony.

Vision problems that accompany diabetes can result in the person being unable to read things, which all jobs require. Unable to drive a car or truck, and unable to even tell the difference in the value of money handed to them. The forgoing vision examples can show that even a job such as taking up tickets at a movie theatre may be impossible for a person with diabetes.

It is so very important to show the Social Security Disability department the results of your Diabetes, the end results of Diabetes can be shown at a hearing of your case, things like loss of vision, unsteady gate can be seen by the judge, and Neuropathy can be explained to the judge through your testimony. Conveying these problems is a very important part of your disability claim for Diabetes. 

Should you need assistance in your claim for disability as a result of diabetes please give me a call, I would be pleased to speak with you, and if I can be of assistance I would be pleased to be your disability attorney.

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.

Lets first start with who decides whether you had an unskilled job, or skilled job, Social Security Disability uses a vocational expert. A vocational expert is someone who has studied in the field of Vocational Evaluation and rehabilitation, they are employed by Social Security to evaluate past work history and surmise what type work you can do now, if any at all.

At the hearing of your claim before the Judge, you will appear with your attorney and the vocational expert. There are two important statements a vocational expert can make about your case, the first is determining if your former job was skilled or unskilled, the next is determining if you had a skilled job, is there any transferable job skills to allow you to do another job?

Unskilled, if the vocational expert determines that you had a job that was unskilled, then there will be no transferable job skills to worry about, however the expert may testify that you can do other non skilled work, at this point it is very important to know what your limitations are, in regards to ability to do types of work;sedentary work, light work,  medium work. Understanding where you might fall is very important for the Social Security Grid System. The grid system is a chart developed by Social Security that uses many factors, (including age, job skills, education, ability to do light, work, sedentary work, or medium work) to help the Judge determine your disability.

How is skilled work  judged? Under 82-41 it makes the following points:

• Skills can only be transferred from one specific job to another
• A worker who in the past has performed only unskilled work, cannot have skills
• Skilled work cannot be transferred to unskilled work
• Skills are not transferable if the new skilled job requires significant training
• Worker traits such as, alertness, dexterity are not skills, they are only traits  
• Any job requiring 30 days or more of training is not considered unskilled

It is fundamental to understand skilled and unskilled work when dealing with a vocation expert at the hearing of your matter. Please give my law firm a call toll free at 1 (877) 271-2633, or local at (615) 308-2633, we would be pleased to review your claim, we represent hard working people. 

www.socialsecuritydenied.com

Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.