If you are suffering from a chronic autoimmune disorder that caused you to stop working, you deserve support with your disability claims. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes chronic autoimmune disorders, securing benefits is far from guaranteed. An Oklahoma Social Security Disability (SSD) lawyer can advocate for your autoimmune disability claims and work towards getting you the compensation you deserve.
The Effect of the SSA’s Listing of Impairments
The SSA evaluates all disability claims using the five-step process, which includes consulting the Listing of Impairments, also referred to as the Blue Book. Autoimmune and rheumatic diseases are categorized under the Immune System Disorders Section 14.00. To meet a specific listing, an applicant must provide objective medical evidence proving the disorder’s severity.
Many autoimmune claims are initially denied because they fail to perfectly meet a specific listing’s complex medical criteria. The disease may be debilitating, but its symptoms might be subjective, like fatigue or fluctuate between remission and severe flare-ups, making it difficult to document the consistent, disabling severity the SSA demands.
The Role of an Oklahoma SSD Lawyer
An Oklahoma SSD lawyer’s role is to bridge the gap between the complex medical reality of an autoimmune disorder and the rigid legal requirements of the SSA. They achieve this through a thorough investigation of medical evidence, gathering expert testimony, creating a core strategy called a function report, and filing appeals while meeting all vital deadlines.
Collecting Medical Evidence for Your Claim
Autoimmune claims hinge on medical evidence that clearly demonstrates functional limitation, not just a diagnosis. An attorney helps in gathering the right documentation, which can start with requesting the right lab tests, like ANA or RF markers. They will also gather imaging results and notes from medical experts that the SSA requires to prove the systemic nature of the disease and its impact on multiple body parts.
Your lawyer will work with your treating specialist to complete specific forms, ensuring the report addresses your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC), or what you can still do despite limitations. They will also address the fluctuation of symptoms in their report, presenting evidence of flare-ups and chronic fatigue. They may use personal statements and ask you to keep a symptom diary to illustrate the unpredictable nature of the disease, preventing sustained, full-time employment.
Crafting a Detailed Function Report
Your SSD lawyer will assist you in completing a detailed Function Report, a document often used by the SSA to find inconsistencies. For fluctuating disorders, the attorney will ensure the report clearly and consistently describes the claimant’s limitations on a bad day, not just a rare good day.
Administrative Law Judge Hearing
If the claim proceeds to a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), your lawyer will represent you. They will cross-examine vocational and medical experts and present your testimony. As an advocate, they will argue the legal merits of your case, focusing on the combination of impairments that collectively prevent all types of work.
Meeting Deadlines for Your Autoimmune Disability Claims
The appeals process is highly time-sensitive, requiring a request for reconsideration or an ALJ hearing within 60 days of a denial. An attorney can help make sure you meet all deadlines. An Oklahoma SSD lawyer can help dramatically increase the likelihood of proving the severity of the condition and securing the financial support you deserve.