Can You Get Disability For Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a very painful disorder that can impact your ability to do even simple tasks. So, can you get disability for neuropathy? Can you get benefits from the government for this condition? Let’s find out.

If you are experiencing nerve pain, you may be wondering if you could get a disability for neuropathy. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, it is worth exploring your options and talking to a lawyer about your case. 

If you submit enough evidence that proves you suffer from the symptoms of this medical condition, the SSA will consider your peripheral neuropathy as a disability. Then, you can claim benefits. 

Neuropathy can make everyday activities very difficult, so it is essential to do everything possible to get the help you need. Keep reading for more information on disability for neuropathy.

Can You Get Disability for Peripheral Neuropathy?

Yes, SSA considers neuropathy as a disability. It is listed under Section 11.14 of the Blue Book.

Peripheral nerves are a set of nerves outside your brain that carry messages from the brain and spinal cord and other body parts.

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves in the extremities of the body, such as the hands and feet. This condition can cause numbness, tingling, pain, poor muscle movements and muscle weakness. In some cases, it can also lead to problems with balance and coordination.

While there is no cure for peripheral neuropathy, treatments can help relieve the symptoms. In some cases, the condition may improve on its own over time. However, peripheral neuropathy is a chronic condition that can cause significant disability for many people.

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How Bad Can Peripheral Neuropathy Get?

Neuropathy occurs when peripheral nerves in the body become damaged. The damage may be mild, moderate, severe, or even catastrophic, depending on the type of neuropathy and nerve damage. Neuropathy is a serious condition that can lead to permanent disability or death if not treated properly.

Some common types of peripheral neuropathy include:

Diabetic neuropathy 

Diabetic neuropathy is the most common form of neuropathy, affecting 50% of all people with diabetes. It involves both motor and sensory nerves, resulting in impaired sensation, weakness, and muscle spasms. 

Diabetic neuropathy may affect any part of the body, but it more commonly affects the feet and legs first, leading to numbness, pain, tingling, and weakness in the extremities. It can also take a toll on other organs like the gastrointestinal tract, causing digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

There are many types of diabetic neuropathy, for example, autonomic neuropathy, focal neuropathy and proximal neuropathy. Each affects a different set of nerves.

Diabetic neuropathy is irreversible, but you can prevent it by taking timely medicines, doing workouts and exercises, taking daily meals designed by your doctor, quitting smoking and alcohol, and giving up on a sedentary lifestyle. 

Keep cholesterol, sugar, and blood pressure under control. It is also necessary to take care of your feet. And if you have diabetic neuropathy, you can stop it from worsening by managing your diabetes. 

Alcoholic neuropathy

This results from excessive consumption of alcohol over time. Damage to sensory and motor nerves leads to numbness and cramping in muscles and loss of balance and coordination. Loss of sensation is another common symptom related to alcoholic neuropathy that increases one’s risk of injuries or death due to burns or accidental poisoning.

Nutritional neuropathy

Nutritional neuropathy occurs when minerals like zinc, copper, iron, and iodine are not appropriately consumed through food intake or supplements, resulting in deficiencies that affect nerve functions and health. People with nutritional neuropathy often experience tingling, numbness, and burning sensations in their hands and feet.

Does Neuropathy Affect the Ability to Perform Physical Work?

Yes, neuropathy can affect your ability to perform physical work. This is because neuropathy can cause muscle weakness and coordination loss, making it difficult to do things like lift objects or walk without assistance. Additionally, neuropathy can cause pain, making it difficult to focus on work tasks.

Can I Work With Neuropathy?

Many people with neuropathy experience pain and other symptoms that make it difficult to work. However, several strategies and accommodations can help you manage your condition and stay productive at work.

If you have neuropathy, it’s essential to talk to your employer about your condition. They may be able to make some changes to your job duties or the workplace itself to help you stay comfortable and safe. 

For example, they could allow you to take more frequent breaks, adjust your workstation, or provide ergonomic equipment.

Does Neuropathy Affect Your Ability to Perform Sedentary Work?

Neuropathy is a condition that causes damage to the nerves, which can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain in the affected areas. Yes, neuropathy can affect your ability to perform sedentary work. 

This can make it challenging to sit for long periods or do fine motor skills tasks. If you have neuropathy, you may need to take breaks more often than someone without the condition, or you may need to find a less physically demanding job.

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The Cost of Treating Neuropathy

Treatment for neuropathy may include medication, physical therapy, and surgery. The cost of treating neuropathy can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the individual’s health insurance coverage. 

The average price of neuropathy treatment is $100-$200 per month. However, treatment costs can range from $50-$500 per month, depending on the individual’s needs. 

Proving Your Neuropathy is a Disability

Neuropathy is a nerve disorder characterized by numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and feet. If you have neuropathy, it can be challenging to prove to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that your condition qualifies as a disability. 

There is an important document that SSA uses when evaluating disability claims for people with neurological disorders like neuropathy–the “Blue Book.”

The Blue Book is an official listing of qualifying medical conditions for determining whether or not one meets the definition of disability under SSA rules. 

According to the Blue Book, individuals with neuropathy may qualify for coverage if they experience at least one of the following:

• Problems in completing or doing daily chores due to difficulties in two extremities.
• Neuropathy disorder where you have problems communicating, etc.
• Low cognitive skills ability where you don’t remember doing things you have done in the past. 
• Problems in concentration and keeping pace with others

If you have neuropathy and can’t work because of your condition, it’s essential to get started on your disability claim as soon as possible. The claims process can be complex and time-consuming, so it’s best to have all of your ducks in a row from the start.

If you think that your neuropathy qualifies as a disability under the Blue Book, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney today. They can help you get started on your claim right away and ensure that everything is for a successful outcome.

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Evidence Needed to be Related to Your Peripheral Neuropathy

First, you will need to show a complete medical history of your neuropathy. Then the medical record of neurologists, which shall include:

• Autonomic testing
• Nerve Biopsy
• Electrodiagnostic Testing
• Imaging results
• Quantitative Sensory Testing

You also need to prove your physical limitations so ask your neurologist to document the same, which includes:

• Issues while moving from sitting to standing positions.
• Difficulty in moving shoulders, hands, arms, and wrists.
• Difficulty in moving two extremities such as wrists, arms, shoulders, and legs.
• Double vision, issues in maintaining balance while walking, standing, etc.
• Any other physical limitation.

Evidence Needed to be Related to Your Neuropathy Treatments for claiming SSA benefits

Before providing you the SSA benefits, SSA needs to know what treatment you received, your response to the treatment, and its side effects, if any, or if your condition has worsened after the treatment. 

SSA will check:

• Any assistive devices you are using, such as a wheelchair, cane, or a crutch, splints, casts, and splints.
• Any medical treatments, such as tens or plasmapheresis.
• The medicine you are receiving and your response to it.
• Any physical therapy you are getting.

Self-analysis of Neuropathy Treatment

When it comes to neuropathy treatments, you want to be sure that you’re making the right decisions for your health. This means you need evidence to support your treatment choices – and the more research you can find on a particular treatment, the better.

Some of the things you should look for when researching neuropathy treatments include:

• Studies related to each component of treatment. For example, if a doctor or practitioner suggests a herbal remedy, look into studies explicitly associated with this herb. If applicable, you should also seek information on other herbs used in combination with this herb. Nerve damage may alter how your body reacts to certain herbs, so you must understand what the herb does and the chemical reactions.
• Studies that look at the effectiveness of combining different treatments. If you’re considering a combination treatment for your neuropathy, you’ll want to look for studies exploring how these two or more treatments interact. You need to know what kind of combined results you can expect – both good and evil.

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Steps You Can Take to Win Your Disability Claim

If you cannot work due to neuropathy, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. To qualify for help, you must show that your neuropathy has significantly impacted your ability to work.

To prove your neuropathy is a disability and win your Social Security claim, there are specific steps you can take. These include:

• Getting a thorough medical evaluation from both your primary care doctor and a specialist like an internist, neurologist, or rheumatologist;
• Providing detailed information about any physical limitations caused by the neuropathy in your application;
• Providing detailed information about your work history, including the type of job you held and any limitations you had;
• Sticking to a regular schedule for attending Social Security hearings so that the agency does not delay your claim.

By following these steps, you can significantly improve your chances of winning your disability claim for neuropathy.

Tips for Receiving Disability Benefits for Neuropathy

If you’re seeking disability benefits for neuropathy, one crucial step is to obtain an RFC (residual functional capacity) test from your physician. This test can help document the severity of your condition and how it affects your ability to work.

To get an RFC test, your doctor will need to fill out a form that includes detailed information about your symptoms, how they limit your functioning, and what kind of treatment you’ve received. The more information your doctor can provide, the better chance you’ll have of getting approved for benefits.

Can You Get Disability with Diabetic Neuropathy?

Yes, you can get a disability with diabetic neuropathy. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a listing for diabetic neuropathy, under the affects of diabetes mellitus in SSR 14-2p.

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If Your Neuropathy Claim is Denied?

Many people are denied disability benefits for neuropathy because of many reasons. Some applications are rejected due to a lack of proper documentation or lack of accountability. If the SSA authorities believe that your claim is not a genuine one, they reject the application. 

It is essential to gather evidence supporting your claim to ensure you have all the necessary information before submitting a written appeal to Social Security. If SSA has rejected your claim, talk to a Social Security Attorney. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

A Few Final Words

Neuropathy is any form that can affect your life severely. It can restrict your body’s movements, and the worst, it can make you vulnerable. Hence learn about neuropathy and the benefits available before it is too late and your cognitive skills deteriorate before knowing it. 

However, you can take SSA benefits and prevent them from being a burden on your family with proper planning and documentation. Thank you for reading the article, we hope we covered all your doubts and questions. If you have further queries, please write a comment to us.