When schizophrenia disability benefits are unfairly denied, call on us. We are lawyers who help schizophrenia claimants nationwide appeal wrongfully denied claims to win their benefits.
Instances of denied disability claims for schizophrenia are numerous. In dealings with disability insurance companies, the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), schizophrenia can be a problematic illness to prove. It is often difficult for medical records alone to establish your inability to work to earn a living.
Was your claim or the claim of a loved one for schizophrenia disability benefits wrongly denied? That same claim – with proper legal representation – can be appealed and won. It is highly recommended that claimants seek help from a disability lawyer to appeal your case. That is where the attorneys of Marc Whitehead & Associates excel.
- If you are covered by a group disability insurance plan through your job, or a privately owned long-term disability insurance policy, we can provide powerful legal help against any insurance company.
- If your schizophrenia disorder disables you to the point where you can no longer work and earn a living, we can help you appeal your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
- If you are an American veteran suffering with schizophrenia caused by trauma that occurred during military service, we can represent your claim at any level of the veteran’s disability benefits system.
About Schizophrenia Disability
Schizophrenia is a disabling brain disorder that affects about 1 percent of Americans. The symptoms generally fall under three categories:
Positive symptoms: The person has psychotic behaviors that cause them to lose touch with reality, including hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and more rarely, movement disorders.
Negative symptoms: The person experiences disruption of normal emotions and behaviors. Symptoms include a “flat affect” (where the person speaks in a monotonous voice, or their face does not move), lack of pleasure of normal life, inability to motivate, little or no speaking, and neglect of personal hygiene and other self-help.
Cognitive symptoms: The person is unable to understand information and use information in decision-making; they cannot pay attention, and have trouble with working memory and using information they have just learned. Although these symptoms may be subtle on the surface, the disorder can severely impede the person’s ability to make a living and handle everyday tasks.
Sometimes the medical evidence presents a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, where the individual shows symptoms of schizophrenia as well as symptoms of “affective” (mood) disorders – such as bipolar disorder.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
Schizophrenia Disability Claims and Long Term Disability Insurance Denials
For more than 20 years, Marc Whitehead & Associates have been fighting insurance companies to secure benefits for our mentally disabled clients. Often the insurance companies will rely on deceptive practices in order to deny valid claims for long-term disability.
Claims are usually reviewed by doctors employed by insurance companies, making it all too easy for them to reject claims. The insurance company will lead you to believe that your case is defeated and you have no recourse. They are betting that a schizophrenia disability claimant does not contest the denial. When this happens, the person is left in a tragic situation.
Our firm has significant legal knowledge of schizophrenia disabilities and other psychotic disorders. Our attorneys work in concert with diagnosing physicians and psychiatrists to effectively present a legally satisfactory claim that meets the insurance company’s definition of “disabled.”
We are well-versed in state disability insurance laws that govern private insurance policies, and the complexities of federal ERISA law that governs group disability policies. We know how to deal effectively with “big insurance,” and have the skills, knowledge and strength to fight for your case from beginning to end.
When a claim for schizophrenia disability is denied, qualified legal counsel is advised.
Marc Whitehead & Associates work to protect citizens and veterans from the unfair denial of benefits for mental impairments. We are board certified in Social Security Disability law and accredited Veterans Claim attorneys. Insurance companies recognize our abilities to prove to the court that our clients are in fact disabled under the terms of the insurance policy.
We are able to provide significant help in winning the disability benefits you need. Wherever you are located, our firm will talk with you, evaluate your case, and work to help you obtain compensation. Request a Free Consultation with a lawyer about your disability claim.
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Social Security Disability for Schizophrenia
The Social Security Administration recognizes a diagnosis of schizophrenia in their SSA Listing of Impairments under Mental Disorders, Section 12.03 – Schizophrenic, Paranoid and Other Psychotic Disorders.
Having qualified legal representation on a disability claim for schizophrenia is essential, often making the difference between winning and losing. SSA will evaluate the doctors’ reports and other medical evidence to support the person’s exact diagnosis and limitations. Yet simply being diagnosed with schizophrenia is not enough to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
When reviewing the case, SSA pays careful attention to the degree of limitation of the person’s ability to work and perform everyday activities. SSA will want to know the exact loss of function caused by the schizophrenia, and what the claimant has done to help treat their illness. They will assess whether there is anything else in the person’s record that may contradict this evidence.
If your claim is denied, you must not give up. You need a strong strategy for getting your case approved. No matter what stage of the Social Security Disability appeal process you are in, the attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates can help you.
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Veterans with Schizophrenia Disability
We take veterans disability claims very seriously. A denied claim for VA disability benefits is no way to recognize a veteran’s service to our country. As well as VA disability for schizophrenia, veterans are also eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. We can effectively help you in all regards.
The VA follows a schedule for rating disabilities when determining the level of a veteran’s service-connected disability. Schizophrenia is included in the VA Schedule under Mental Disorders, listed as Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders, which lists the following disorders:
- Schizophrenia, disorganized type
- Schizophrenia, catatonic type
- Schizophrenia, paranoid type
- Schizophrenia, undifferentiated type
- Schizophrenia, residual type; other and unspecified types
- Delusional disorder
- Psychotic disorder, not otherwise specified (atypical psychosis)
- Schizoaffective disorder
Disability benefits are rated according to loss of function and the effect on the veteran’s ability to work and earn a living. Veterans’ claims for disability benefits related to schizophrenia are frequently denied or seriously underrated. Yet these same claims, with the proper legal representation, may be awarded disability benefits on appeal, and the ratings adjusted.
Get Help – Contact Our Disability Attorneys
We can help you or a loved one overturn denials of LTD benefits, Social Security Disability or Veterans disability benefits so you may receive the disability payments you desperately need and deserve.
Call our attorneys at 800-562-9830 or ask a lawyer about your schizophrenia disability claim. Most of our cases are handled on contingency fee – meaning we are not paid until you are.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form