Chicago Diabetes Disability Attorneys
Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyers
Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by the body’s inability to regulate insulin production. Type I diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes, is generally diagnosed in children and young adults. Those with type I diabetes are unable to produce sufficient insulin – the hormone necessary to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. Type I diabetes is typically treated with insulin therapy and other treatments. With type II diabetes, which is the most common form of diabetes, the body either does not produce sufficient insulin or the body’s cells do not respond to insulin production.
The skilled Chicago, Illinois social security disability law firm of Ankin Law has considerable experience representing clients who are pursuing social security disability benefits based on a number of medical conditions, including diabetes. We are well-versed in the legal requirements necessary to submit a valid social security disability claim, as well as the medical documentation that is necessary to support a medical diagnosis of diabetes.
Social Security Disability Requirements
A diabetes sufferer may qualify for disability benefits if he or she meets the evaluation criteria established in the Social Security disability handbook, or he or she shows the SSA that he or she is unable to participate in any kind of employment based on residual functional capacity, age, education and work experience. If an applicant is seeking Supplemental Security Income (SSI), he or she must also satisfy certain income and resource requirements. Applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) must have earned sufficient “work credits,” but they do not need to meet the financial conditions of SSI.
Diabetes Medical Qualifications
Diabetes is included on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) “Listing of Impairments,”. Specifically, the SSA’s medical listing for diabetes indicates that a claimant must have the following:
- A diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, either type I or type II; and
- One of the following:
a. Evidence of neuropathy as demonstrated by “significant and persistent disorganization of motor function in two extremities” that results in a “sustained disturbance of gross and dexterous movements, or gait and station;”
b. Acidosis (changes in blood chemistry) that occurs, on average, at least once every two months (this must be documented by the proper blood tests); or
c. Diabetic retinopathy that results in visual impairment that involves a significant loss of peripheral vision in the better of the two eyes, or a significant loss of visual acuity in the better of the two eyes.
Free Consultation
If you suffer from diabetes and are unable to work as a result of your condition, contact us at (872) 529-9377 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled Chicago social security disability attorneys.
