Why Is Veterans Parkinsons Disease Such A Common Diagnosis
My client who served in the Philippines during the Vietnam War was diagnosed with what is informally called Young-Onset Parkinsons Disease at age 31.
The average age at which most folks are diagnosed with Parkinsons is 58 years old one is diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinsons if they are diagnosed before the age of 50.
The diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinsons is a frighteningly common occurrence in the Veteran community.
Beyond that, traditional onset Parkinsons is increasingly common in the Veterans community. I think there are 2 major reasons .
Here is one of those minor reasons: science is showing us more and more that there are early indicators for the diagnosis of a Veterans Parkinsons Disease: the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System concluded that individuals who have lost their sense of smell are 5 times more likely to be diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease in the future.)
The First Major Reason for the increase in Veterans Parkinsons Disease is that so many Vietnam era Veterans were exposed to dioxin during their military service. .
The VA has conceded in the past that Veterans exposed to Agent Orange have a 70% greater likelihood of being diagnosed with Parkinsons disease.
In fact, Veterans who served boots on the ground in Vietnam are entitled to a presumption that the Veterans Parkinsons Disease was related to their military service.
Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability Insurance is a government disability benefit program that is administered by the Social Security Administration . These benefits are paid on a monthly basis to disabled workers who qualify under the SSAs rules. Like any insurance benefits, the rules and stipulations are complicated.
How A Lawyer Can Help You
If you need help navigating the process of filing a claim for Social Security disability benefits youre not alone.
An experienced attorney who specializes in Social Security disability cases can answer your questions, give you advice, and help you through the claims process.
A good attorney can also help you figure out what medical evidence you should be submitting with your claim. Youre not supposed to be great at filing for disability benefits.
But an attorney who has worked on disability cases can help you through the process of filing a claim for disability benefits and give you the best chance at getting your claim for benefits approved the first time.
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Will I Have To Pay For Treatment
If you are not eligible for a Medical Card you can get free medicines, medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of Parkinsons under the Long Term Illness Scheme. You will still have to pay for medicines prescribed to treat other conditions . In order to apply for the Long Term Illness Scheme you need to fill in the application form which is available from your Local Health Office. Your GP or Consultant will sign the form to confirm your condition and list your medicines or medical and surgical appliances. You will also need to specify the pharmacy where you want your medicines dispensed. If your doctor or occupational therapist prescribes a medical or surgical appliance, it will be supplied to you from your Local Health Office.
Even if you are not entitled to a medical card you may be eligible for GP Visit Cards which can allow individuals and families in Ireland to visit their family doctor for free. Only the cost of visits to your family doctor is free.
If you are not entitled to a medical card you should also apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme Card if you dont already have one, since other medicines not related to Parkinsons have to be paid for in the normal way but they will be covered by the Drugs Payment Scheme. This scheme ensures no individual or family has to pay more than a government determined maximum amount each month for medicines. The maximum amount is subject to government review from time to time.
Applying For Ssdi Benefits And How Much You May Receive For Parkinson’s
For those who were eligible to claim SSI received on average $841 per month. The amounts are dependent on how many dependents you have.
Eligibility for SSI is based on you not receiving more than $2,000 from other income sources. If you are married the cap is $3,000. You will need to take an asset test as well, but your home and one vehicle is not included in this.
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What Impact Will Parkinsons Disease Have On My Life
Diagnosis of any illness which progresses will require you and your family to adapt over time. Although the diagnosis of Parkinsons may be upsetting, it is important to try and maintain a positive outlook, have a healthy diet, exercise and focus on doing things you enjoy. Additionally, remember that although you have Parkinsons your family will be significantly affected by your condition. Try to look after family relationships and understand how Parkinsons affects you and your family and learn how to work around it. Keep in mind that you may need to be more realistic about what you can achieve, and work around times when your medication is working well. You may also need to change some of the roles within the family over time.
Qualifying When You Dont Meet The Listing
Its very common for someone with Parkinsons to be unable to work but at the same time not meet the rigid criteria that are listed in the Blue Book that are required in order to be eligible for disability benefits.
If this happens to you there is still a way that you can be eligible for disability benefits. You can ask for a Residual Functional Capacity evaluation.
A Residual Functional Capacity exam is something that the Social Security Administration does to determine whether or not theres any work that you can do.
If the RFC finds that you cant do the kinds of things needed for a job like sit for eight hours or stand for hours then you will probably be approved for disability benefits.
The first step is download and have your doctor complete the Residual Functional Capacity evaluation form. The RFC form is available online.
You can download a copy and give it to your doctor, who will need to fill it out for you. The form is quite detailed and designed to help the SSA figure out what, if any, work you can still do.
The SSA will look at your age, your past jobs, and your education as well as your current medical status to determine if theres any type of work that you can do.
If you are over 50 and have a progressive condition like Parkinsons it shouldnt be difficult for you to quality for disability benefits after having an RFC done.
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Is Parkinsons A Disability
Parkinsons Disease is considered a disability by the Social Security Administration According to the SSAs Blue Book, which is the list of conditions that can qualify for disability benefits.
Parkinsons Disease is located in section 11.06 of the SSAs Blue Book. If you have Parkinsons and you are not able to work for at least 12 months or longer because of your disease, you may be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits and be considered disabled by the SSA.
In order to qualify for disability with Parkinsons, the SSA will examine all of your medical records and documentation to see if closely matches the listing for Parkinsons in the SSAs Blue Book.
In order for Parkinsons to be considered a disability, the following needs to be met despite taking prescribed treatment for three consecutive months:
Disorganization of motor function in two extremities, that results in an extreme limitation in being able to stand up from a seated position, balance while standing or walking, or use the upper extremities.
Or a Marked limitation and physical function in one of the following:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information
- Interacting with others
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace
- Adapting or managing oneself
If you are able to match these listings, then you will be deemed disabled by the SSA and you will qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
Symptoms Of Ptsd Include:
- Intrusive thoughts: flashbacks, distress when exposed to symbols of the trauma, recurrent and involuntary memories, nightmares.
- Avoidance of stimuli associated with the event: avoiding the place where the event occurred, avoiding thoughts and feelings associated with the event.
- A significant mood change experienced after the event: detachment from others, blaming oneself for what happened, persistent negative emotional state, decreased interest in significant activities.
- A shift in reactivity associated with the event: increased irritability, hypervigilance, sleep disturbance, exaggerated startle response, problems with memory or concentration.
In order to meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, you must experience symptoms from all of the above categories for more than one month. The above symptoms must also cause a significant disturbance or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of daily functioning. Individuals with PTSD are also often diagnosed with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
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Disability Tax Credit Eligibility For Canadians Suffering Of Parkinsons Disease
Nearly 100,000 Canadians suffer from Parkinsons disease, which is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that can rob a person of the ability to lead a normal, productive life. As it tends to appear later in life, 85 percent of those in Canada diagnosed with the disease are over 65, it is vital that individuals and their families understand Parkinsons and its treatment.
About Citizens Disability Llc:
Since 2010, Citizens Disability has been Americas premier Social Security Disability institution. Our services include helping people in applying for SSDI benefits, managing the process through Reconsideration, and representing people in person at their Hearing, and if necessary, bringing their case to the Appeals Council. Our mission is to give a voice to the millions of Americans who are disabled and unable to work, helping them receive the Social Security Disability benefits to which they may be entitled. Learn more about us and disability benefits like SSDI & SSI or give us a call at 492-3260.
Citizens Disability is committed to helping keep people safe from fraud. We will never ask for personal details to start an SSDI application over Facebook or social media. We will only ask for certain details, in private messages, to confirm the identity of a client in a customer service situation. The only way to begin an SSDI application with us is on the phone, through a number found on our website, or one of our clearly-marked advertisements. Please keep your personal details safe, don’t share them in a public forum, or with individuals who solicit your information.
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Looking For Specific Direction On Your Va Disability Claim And Disability Benefits Questionnaires
Regardless of what state you live in, its important that you pursue the monthly compensation payments due to you for disabilities connected to your military service.
Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and therefore not getting the compensation they deserve. At VA Claims Insider, we help veterans understand and take control of the claims process so they can get the rating and compensation theyre owed by law.
Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully-developed claim so you can increase your rating in less time!
If youve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating or youre not sure how to get started reach out to us for a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call, so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you deserve. Weve supported more than 15,000 veterans to win their claims and increase their ratings. NOW ITS YOUR TURN.
Facts About Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease is considered by most to be a disease affecting mostly seniors, with onset averaging at around age 60. However, nearly 10 percent of the diagnoses of Parkinsons occur in people under the age of 40, and 20 percent are under age 50. While many of the symptoms will be the same, regardless of the age of onset, there are some differences with younger sufferers:
- Dementia and Balance ProblemsThese are less likely among those with an earlier onset.
- MedicationsThose with earlier onset are typically are more sensitive to the medication benefits used to treat Parkinsons.
- Physical ComplaintsCramping or abnormal posture is more prevalent.
- Work LifeOn average, those with earlier onset are able to function at work longer than those who acquire the disease later in life.
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What Type Of Work Can Someone Do With This Condition
The physical tremors, weakness, and communication challenges common with advanced Parkinsons can make it difficult to do jobs that involve manual labor.
If you are over 50, a high school graduate, and spent your entire life doing factory assembly work, your chances of being approved for benefits are higher than someone who graduated from college and worked mostly at sedentary occupations.
Even if the grid does not find that you qualify for benefits, your chances of a successful claim are much higher if you are over 50. The expectation is that older workers will find it more difficult to be retrained for a different occupation, so non-physical factors that might not ordinarily have been considered, such as mental illness, can carry more weight and tip the scales in your favor.
How To Win Disability Benefits With Parkinsons Disease
April 19, 2021 By Jeremy Schooley
A diagnosis of Parkinsons disease can be life-changing. Parkinsons usually begins gradually and worsens over time. It is episodic and unpredictable. Symptoms are both obvious and hidden, and many are often underdiagnosed.
As it often advances into stages of disability and loss of independence, Parkinsons disease forces many people to stop working. If this is your situation, you may be eligible for vital disability benefits for Parkinsons disease, through the Social Security Administration , from private insurers, or from the Department of Veterans Affairs .
What many claimants are shocked to learn is that most disability claims based on Parkinsons disease are initially deniedsometimes in error, sometimes due to insufficient information, sometimes unfairly.
In this post, you will learn why many PD disability claims are denied, and how you can approach your claim most effectivelyso you can move forward to protect your rights and secure your rightful benefits.
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Parkinsons Disease And Qualifying For Disability Benefits
Author Attorney Greg Reed:
One million people in the U.S. and 10 million people worldwide are affected by Parkinsons disease. Parkinsons disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder characterized by tremors, stiffness, slow movement and postural instability. It is part of a collective group of neurological disorders known as Parkinsonian syndrome that causes movement problems.
The SSA recognizes Parkinsons Disease in its Blue Book under Section 11.06. To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits a person must meet the requirements of the listing or prove that they are unable to work.
In its early stages it is difficult to determine whether a person has Parkinsons disease or a disorder mimicking the condition as its symptoms may take years to develop.
As the disease progresses, a person with Parkinsons disease may have difficulty walking and talking or experience sleeping problems, memory difficulties, fatigue, or depression.
Common symptoms include:
- Tremors or shaking, beginning with a limb, hands or fingers. Shaking can occur even when the person is at rest.
- Slowed movement called bradykinesia. For example, a persons steps may become shorter or the person may drag their feet.
- Rigid muscles in any part of the body which may be painful and limit range of motion.
- Impaired posture and balance.
- Changes in speech for example, slurred speech or a monotone voice.
- Difficulty writing.
What Are My Rights And Obligations
According to the Civil Code of Quebec, you must provide work performance documentation, meaning the quantity and quality of the work for which you are paid.
Sharing your diagnosis with your employer and letting them know of your constraints throughout the progression of the diseases will help you find appropriate accommodations together.
You can take time off due to your disease, but you may have to provide a medical certificate to your employer to justify your absences.
Your employer must offer you reasonable accommodations so you can complete your work tasks without causing excessive constraint.
Every situation calls for different solutions. These may include:
- Changing your work schedule
- Taking time off for medical reasons
- Arranging your workstation accordingly
- Modifying your work tasks and duties
The acceptance of accommodation measures required varies according to several factors, including the nature of the business, its economic capacity, the activities it carries out, and the level of accommodation required.
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Causes Of Parkinsons Disease
In spite of decades of study, the causes of Parkinsons have yet to be determined. Many experts say that Parkinsons is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but these vary case by case. Certain environmental factors, such as occupational exposure to chemicals, have been linked to Parkinsons.
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Complex Parkinson’s Disease And Palliative Care
Complex Parkinson’s disease is defined as the stage when treatment is unable to consistently control symptoms, or the person has developed uncontrollable jerky movements .
These problems can still be helped by adjustment or addition of some of the medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease, under the supervision of a doctor with a specialist interest in Parkinson’s disease.
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, you’ll be invited to discuss the care you want with your healthcare team as you near the end of your life. This is known as palliative care.
When there’s no cure for an illness, palliative care tries to alleviate symptoms, and is also aimed at making the end of a person’s life as comfortable as possible.
This is done by attempting to relieve pain and other distressing symptoms, while providing psychological, social and spiritual support for you and your family.
Palliative care can be provided at home or in a hospice, residential home or hospital.
You may want to consider talking to your family and care team in advance about where you’d like to be treated and what care you wish to receive.
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