Category Archives: Disability

Featured Link – Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation

Written On August 17, 2010 By Bob Kraft

Our Social Security disability department sees a lot of Crohn’s disease and colitis cases. There is an excellent resource site for people suffering from these diseases, by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Here is a description from the site:
About the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization [...]

Posted in Disability, Featured Link, Social Security Disability

Featured Link – Disability.gov

Written On August 9, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The federal government has an excellent resource at Disability.gov for anyone seeking more information about disabilities or the laws and regulations applicable to disabilities. The site is pretty much a redo of the old DisabilityInfo.com, which I have mentioned before. Here is the site’s description:
About Us
Disability.gov is an award-winning federal Web site that contains disability-related [...]

Posted in Disability, Government, Medical and Health Resources

When Cancer Won’t Bring a Social Security Check

Written On July 22, 2010 By Bob Kraft

This guest post is by Ms. Alexis Bonari.
Although Social Security implemented changes in its “Malignant Neoplastic Diseases” criteria in November of 2009, determining disability as a result of cancer can still be difficult. In many cases, extra time is needed for Social Security to decide whether or not disability may be granted. This is due [...]

Posted in Cancer, Disability, Social Security Disability

Important Help for Vets With PTSD

Written On July 12, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The Obama administration has announced an important change for veterans who are trying to get disability benefits as a result of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Details are available at the White House Web site.
The basic change is that veterans will no longer be required to provide evidence of the specific incident that caused their PTSD symptoms, [...]

Posted in Disability, Veterans Benefits

Featured Link – Alzheimer Statistics in Texas

Written On June 28, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The Alzheimer’s Association has a Web page of statistics for Texas. It’s frightening how many cases are diagnosed each year. Here is a statement from the site:
In the United States, 5.3 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and a new individual is diagnosed with the disease every 70 seconds. Unless something is done, by [...]

Posted in Disability, Social Security Disability

Recognizing Symptoms of Dementia

Written On June 16, 2010 By Bob Kraft

This guest post is courtesy of the National Care Planning Council.
The Brown family reunion has always been an event everyone looks forward to. Family visits, games, stories and everyone’s favorite foods are always on the agenda. On the top of the menu is Grandmas Lemon Coconut Cake. Grandma always makes the traditional cake from her [...]

Posted in Disability

Featured Link – Disability History Timeline

Written On May 26, 2010 By Bob Kraft

Here is an interesting list of important events from 1817 to 2001 “…highlighting people, events and legislation that effect disability rights.” It begins with:
1817
The American School for the Deaf is founded in Hartford, Connecticut. This is the first school for disabled children anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.

Posted in Disability, Featured Link

Featured Link – Morgan’s World Amusement Park

Written On April 21, 2010 By Bob Kraft

Morgan’s Wonderland is located in San Antonio, Texas. It is the World’s First Ultra Accessible Family Fun Park designed specifically for children and adults with special needs, their family members, caregivers, friends and the entire community. This 25-acre park is a unique oasis, that through the spirit of inclusion, allows people of all abilities to [...]

Posted in Disability, Featured Link

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