Category Archives: Disability

How Does Social Security Evaluate Disability Claims?

Written On January 11, 2010 By Bob Kraft

There is a five-step process set out in the Code of Federal Regulations that determines how disability claims are to be evaluated. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520 and 416.920 (2009). If an individual is found disabled or not disabled at any point in this five-step process, the analysis stops and is conclusive on the issue of [...]

Posted in Disability, Social Security Disability

EEOC Finds Increase in Job Discrimination Claims Based on Disability

Written On January 7, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The Associated Press reported, “The number of workers claiming job discrimination based on disability, religion or national origin surged to new highs last year, as federal job bias complaints overall stayed at near-record levels. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Wednesday that charges of disability discrimination rose by about 10 percent to 21,451 claims, the largest [...]

Posted in Disability, Employment Law

More Texans Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance — and Wait for Benefits

Written On January 4, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The Watchdog column in the Fort Worth Star Telegram recently had a good article about the hardship of the long waiting time for Social Security disability applicants. This has been a problem for all the years our firm has been representing Social Security disability claimants, and while it is somewhat better now than at times [...]

Posted in Disability, Social Security Disability

Fast Facts About Arthritis

Written On December 17, 2009 By Bob Kraft

We recently attended the Commitment To A Cure Arthritis Breakfast in Dallas hosted by the Texas Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Their public health, public policy, and research goals are aimed at finding a cure for the 46 million individuals suffering from arthritis.  In keeping with our goal to educate our readers, we would like [...]

Posted in Arthritis, Disability, Social Security Disability

Sleep Apnea and Social Security Disability

Written On December 14, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Many of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from sleep apnea. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience:

excessive daytime sleepiness (e.g., falling asleep easily and inappropriately),

memory problems, and

frequent awakenings during the night, often with snoring.

The course of prescribed treatment can include positional therapy (e.g., not sleeping on the back), oral or dental appliances [...]

Posted in Disability, Social Security Disability

Parkinson’s Disease and Social Security Disability

Written On December 8, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from Parkinson’s disease. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms:
∙    tremors or shaking,
∙    slow movement, and
∙    difficulty balancing.
The course of prescribed treatment varies depending on which symptoms are most troubling. Medications such as Stalevo are often used, and dosages are frequently modified with [...]

Posted in Disability, Social Security Disability

Commitment To A Cure Arthritis Breakfast Is This Week in Dallas

Written On November 30, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A few weeks ago we reminded everyone about the upcoming Dallas Arthritis Walk to be held in North Dallas on Saturday May 15, 2010, at 12700 Park Central Drive. We would like to take this opportunity to notify everyone about the Commitment to a Cure Breakfast to be held this Wednesday morning, December 2, 2009.  [...]

Posted in Arthritis, Disability, Social Security Disability

Featured Link – National Osteoporosis Foundation

Written On November 10, 2009 By Bob Kraft

The goal of the National Osteoporosis Foundation is to make bone health a reality and a lifelong priority for all individuals. This group has much helpful information on their Web site. If you or a loved one suffer from osteoporosis I encourage you to visit this site.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile [...]

Posted in Disability, Featured Link, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability

Arthritis, Social Security Disability, and Supporting a Good Cause

Written On November 5, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from arthritis. Individuals suffering from this disorder experience the following symptoms:

joint pain,
swelling, and
limited range of motion.

The course of prescribed treatment can include medications, physical therapy, and surgery. Not all individuals who have been diagnosed with arthritis will be found disabled under Social Security rules. One source [...]

Posted in Arthritis, Disability, Social Security Disability

Addison’s Disease and Social Security Disability

Written On October 20, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from Addison’s disease. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms:

fatigue,
dizziness, and
muscle weakness with difficulty standing up.

The course of prescribed treatment can include hydrocortisone tablets or prednisone to replace missing cortisol, fludrocortisone to replace missing aldosterone. While not all individuals who have been diagnosed [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability

Increasing Demand and Declining Funds for the Mentally Ill in North Texas

Written On September 21, 2009 By Bob Kraft

The current economic crisis has resulted in many more North Texans seeking taxpayer-funded mental health care as people lose both their jobs and, with it, health insurance.  At the same time, the company that runs the state program is preparing to cut its budget. Demand has increased by about 17 percent since July 2008 and [...]

Posted in Disability, Social Security Disability

ALS and Social Security Disability

Written On September 15, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms:

weakness in the hand, foot, arm, or leg,

difficulty speaking and swallowing, and

difficulty walking.

The course of prescribed treatment can include night-time breathing assistance, a prescription of Riluzole [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability

PTSD and Social Security Disability

Written On September 2, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from post-traumatic-stress-disorder or PTSD. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms:

re-experiencing symptoms (for example, a car backfire reminds a veteran of gunfire from battle),

avoidance of situations that remind a person of the traumatic event (for example, avoiding television shows with natural disasters [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability, Veterans Benefits

New Lupus Drug on the Horizon

Written On July 23, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Lupus is a disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing damage to the joints, blood vessels, skin, lungs, and heart. The disease more frequently affects women, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians. Steroids have frequently been used to treat symptoms such as joint pain in lupus patients, but for over [...]

Posted in Disability, Social Security Disability

When Sonia Sotomayor Talks, Disability Groups Listen

Written On July 18, 2009 By Bob Kraft

One of our Houston Social Security disability clients finally got his checks started a few weeks ago. He was talking with our office, and he asked attorney Matthew Stewart about Matt’s thoughts on Sonia Sotomayor and whether she would be sensitive to the needs and concerns of those suffering from a disability. Michelle Diament has [...]

Posted in Disability, Political and/or Judicial, Social Security Disability

Heart Attack and Social Security Disability

Written On July 15, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients have suffered from heart attacks. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms:
∙ shortness of breath,
∙ chest pain, and
∙ dizziness.
The course of prescribed treatment can include physical therapy, medications, and, in some cases, a stent placement. While not all individuals who have been diagnosed with [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Social Security Disability

Written On July 14, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from the relatively rare Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. This is a disorder of the connective tissue, and it is hereditary. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms:
∙           loose joints or “double joints,”
∙           small, fragile blood vessles, and
∙           abnormal scar formation or wound healing.
The course of [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability

Keeping Mom and Dad Safe at Home

Written On May 15, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Generally, elderly parents want to remain living in their own home. However, remaining in the home becomes a concern when children see their parents slowing down, perhaps even having trouble with handling stairs and doing general daily activities. Yet, with parents’ mental and physical health currently not creating problems, there seems to be no imminent [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Uncategorized

Featured Link – Caring From A Distance

Written On May 15, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Caring From a Distance is a nonprofit organization created by men and women who personally struggled with the anguish, stress, and frustration of long distance care. Their strength lies in this shared experience and in bringing together our diverse backgrounds to help Caring From a Distance service and help unite the distance-care community. Here is [...]

Posted in Consumer Information, Disability, Featured Link, Medical and Health Resources

Dallas Arthritis Walk – Saturday, May 16th

Written On May 11, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Kraft & Associates is a proud sponsor of the 2009 Dallas Arthritis Walk this Saturday, May 16th. Participation in the Walk is free. For detailed information about the Walk, including time and location, please visit the Dallas Arthritis Walk Web site. Here is a summary from the site:

The Arthritis Walk® is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual [...]

Posted in Arthritis, Disability