If you are unable to work due to the symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), you may qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and other sources. However, you must be able to submit sufficiently detailed medical evidence to have your claim for disability benefits for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis approved. If you have been diagnosed with ALS, contact the law offices of Marc Whitehead & Associates to discuss the documentation you’ll need to submit to the SSA, VA, or a private insurance company to have your claim approved
What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
ALS is a progressive motor neuron disease. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease (Gehrig was a New York Yankees’ baseball player who died from ALS in 1941), ALS advances rapidly and attacks the nerve cells (“neurons”) in the spinal cord that give us voluntary control over our muscles. The exact cause of ALS is unknown. There are some promising treatment options to slow the progress of the disease, but there is currently no cure for ALS.
It was once thought that ALS only affected the motor system. Some new studies suggest ALS can affect the brain as well. ALS is now thought to be one of the causes of cerebral atrophy, a condition in which the brain cells (or neurons) and their electrochemical connectors (synapses) begin to die.
ALS is a progressive disease. Symptoms become more severe over time. Early symptoms of ALS can include:
- Uncontrollable twitching muscles in the arm, leg, shoulder, or tongue
- Muscle cramps
- Spasticity — an abnormal increase in tightness or stiffness of muscle that can produce painful, uncontrollable spasms of extremities
- Muscle weakness affecting the arms, legs, neck, or diaphragm
- Slurred speech and other speech impairments
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
As the disease progresses and the symptoms become more severe, individuals may develop problems with moving, swallowing (called dysphagia), speaking or forming words (dysarthria), and breathing (dyspnea) on their own. The progressive muscle weakness of bulbar, limb, thoracic, and abdominal regions as well as associated cerebral atrophy, eventually results in death.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
Obtaining Disability Benefits for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
The requirements for qualifying for ALS Social Security disability benefits appear under Section 11.10 of the SSA’s Blue Book Listing of Adult Impairments. To receive SSA disability benefits for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis you must present evidence that your ALS has resulted in a marked limitation in physical functioning; if you suffer from cerebral atrophy, you’ll have to show a marked limitation in at least one of four areas of mental functioning:
- Understanding and memory
- Interacting with others
- Concentration
- Managing oneself
There is good news for persons with ALS who are seeking Social Security benefits. The ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019 eliminated the required five-month SSDI waiting period for ALS applicants. (This new law does not affect the SSA disability application or determination process.)
The requirements are similar for a claim with the VA or a private insurance company. To get VA disability benefits to claim for ALS or cerebral atrophy, you’ll have to be able to show that your condition is service-related. Private insurance companies often delay or deny ALS claims to discourage policyholders from pursuing benefits.
Marc Whitehead & Associates Can Help You Get the ALS Disability Benefits You Deserve
If your claim for disability benefits for either Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or cerebral atrophy has been turned down, don’t give up — the law gives you the right to appeal a denial of benefits by the SSA, VA, or a private insurance company. Chances are your claim was turned down because you failed to supply the information required to establish your claim.
Marc Whitehead & Associates have helped clients all over the U.S. obtain the disability claims they so desperately need, even after their original claims had been denied. Let us help you get the benefits you deserve. Contact the law offices of Marc Whitehead & Associates through our website, or call us at (713) 929-2967 without delay to schedule a meeting with an experienced disability benefits attorney.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
