Social Security Disability Advocate

Serving Central California Since 1995

Many of us will experience anxiety or panic attacks during our lives, both of which have symptoms that can mimic heart diseases like atrial fibrillation — an irregular heart beat. … Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks can significantly impair quality of life. Severe anxiety can stem from, as well as cause, depression.

To further complicate things, the stress and anxiety that often cause panic attacks can also lead to heart attacks.

Panic attacks and heart attacks can feel frighteningly similar: shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain,… Continue reading

Post laminectomy syndrome (PLS) or sometimes called failed back syndrome is a condition characterized by chronic pain following back surgeries.

Common symptoms associated with PLS include diffuse, dull and aching pain involving the back or legs. Abnormal sensibility may include sharp, pricking, and stabbing pain in the extremities. The term “post-laminectomy syndrome” is used by some doctors to indicate the same condition as failed back syndrome.

What is PLS? Laminectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the lamina from the back. The lamina is part of the vertebra that covers the spinal canal. This surgery will… Continue reading

I often get calls asking about whether someone should to use an attorney or an advocate. My short answer is “there is no difference.” Attorneys and Advocates both represent claimants the same way and have the same authority. One major difference is that most Advocates have not gone to law school. Many, like myself, have been Paralegals for many years. I have been a Paralegal for 38 years and 24 years as an Advocate.

When I graduated from Paralegal school I decided that I wanted to find a non-traditional way to apply my legal skills. Eventually I found that opportunity… Continue reading

Most folks file for Social Security Disability because they are physically unable to work. But for some, it’s not the work that poses a threat, but the risk of blood clots or unstoppable bleeding.

People who suffer from coagulation and bleeding disorders often live in fear of nicks and cuts. The Social Security Administration allows a person living with chronic blood clots (thrombosis), interrupted circulation, excessive blood clotting, or uncontrollable bleeding disorders to collect disability benefits depending on:

The disorder. Many hereditary clotting disorders can be considered for disability benefits—most commonly hemophilia and thrombocytopenia. In addition to these, Social Security… Continue reading

If you have been diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and it has left you unable to work, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. Social Security sometimes approves disability benefits for applicants whose use of their legs is limited due to PAD. In order to qualify for Social Security disability or SSI disability benefits, you must provide medical evidence that proves that you either meet Social Security’s criteria for PAD to automatically qualify as a disability or are unable to work any job due to the limitations PAD causes you.

PAD occurs… Continue reading

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is diagnosed by blood tests and X-rays. There is a specific blood test for the disease called rheumatoid factor, which is most often used. There are also specific doctors, rheumatologists, which specialize in connective tissues and diseases of the joints.

The cause of RA is unknown. It is suspected that fungi, bacteria and viruses are the cause, but there has been no proof to this theory. It could be genetic, have environmental causes or be due to certain infections, but whatever the cause, the immune system attacks the body’s tissues and results in inflammation.

The symptoms of… Continue reading

SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, results when you have an excess of bacteria in your small intestine. Until recently, SIBO was thought to be a mythical health condition. But today, research has proven that it’s a real thing. In fact, a whopping 80% of people who are diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are also said to have SIBO. However, SIBO does share many of the same symptoms as IBS, which makes it tricky to diagnose.

SIBO has been shown to negatively affect both the structure and function of the small bowel. It may significantly interfere with… Continue reading

Benefits for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. If you suffer from a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which is dysautonomia, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects the blood flow of a sufferer. People who have POTS can experience a diminished quality of life. The symptoms and complications of this condition may make it difficult for a person to enjoy leisure activities or complete job tasks.

Common complications that can be linked to POTS include tachycardia, fatigue, headaches and difficulty concentrating. Physical activity is often difficult or… Continue reading

In humans, the adrenal glands sit right at the top of the kidneys. The main function of these glands is to produce a number of hormones that regulate a multitude of body functions.

The result of too little cortisol and often too little aldosterone. The symptoms of Addison’s Disease may include darkening of the skin, weight loss, muscle fatigue, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, depression, nausea, diarrhea, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Addison’s disease can also occur suddenly, and is then called acute adrenal failure or addisonian crisis. The prominent symptom of addisonian crisis is pain in the abdomen,… Continue reading

Social security identifies a traumatic brain injury (TBI) under Listing 11.18. A TBI may result in neurological and mental impairments with a wide variety of posttraumatic symptoms and signs. The rate and extent of recovery can be highly variable, and the long-term outcome may be difficult to predict in the first few months post-injury.

Generally, the neurological impairment will stabilize more rapidly than any mental impairment and is why the look back period is 3 consecutive months. Sometimes a mental impairment may appear to improve immediately following TBI and then worsen, or, it may appear much worse initially but improve… Continue reading