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Can You Collect Social Security For Diabetes?

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If you are suffering from the many symptoms of diabetes, you may be finding it more and more difficult to work at your job. Diabetes can affect nearly every part of your body; it's not just one disorder. Social Security is meant to provide some financial relief for those unable to work at their jobs, but you must have a qualifying medical condition that is affecting you in a major way. Since diabetes causes such widespread problems, and the effects can vary depending on the severity of the disease, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has left this disease off the official list of covered disorders, but has instead listed several diabetes-related medical conditions in the so-called "blue book" of medical conditions. If you are unable to work at your job, read on to learn more about getting Social Security disability coverage for your diabetes-related medical conditions.

Covered Conditions

Diabetes that is controlled well will often enable the sufferer to lead a somewhat normal life, including working at a job. Uncontrolled, however, this condition can cause some debilitating medical conditions that make it difficult, if not impossible to work at your job. The level of sugar in your bloodstream is the main culprit, which could lead to the following conditions, all of which are covered by the SSA.

  • Diabetic retinopathy, which could affect your vision in one or both eyes.
  • Kidney failure
  • Neuropathy, which causes the nerves in your extremities to burn, tingle, and feel numb.
  • Heart disease
  • Amputation, caused by nerves damage to your extremities.

Proving Your Disability

You are likely all too aware of the effect your medical condition, but the SSA must rely on your medical records for proof. Be sure that you are seeing a doctor and have verification of each of your diabetes-related medical conditions on your records. While participating in continuous medical care is important, seeking the help of a specialist will further enhance your proof and lend more credence to the severity of your condition.

Be sure to let the doctor know how the condition has affected your ability to work at your job. For example, explain to the doctor how the neuropathy has affected your feet to such a degree that you are unable to stand and walk, which may be required for your job. The SSA has a form you can print from a computer that you can provide to your doctor for documenting your condition.

If you are having trouble getting approval for your benefits, contact a Social Security attorney like Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC today.


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