Is Neuropathy Considered a Disability?

Those suffering from numbness, tingling, weakness, and persistent nerve pain that comes with neuropathy often find their quality of life severely compromised. When the progressive degeneration of nerve function becomes disabling, qualifying for Social Security disability income represents a crucial financial lifeline. Yet, you may wonder, “Is neuropathy considered a disability?”

While peripheral neuropathy does meet the criteria for a recognized disability listing within the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) guide, ultimately receiving benefit awards hinges on providing extensive medical evidence. Being approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with a diagnosis of neuropathy has its challenges. 

A Greenville Social Security Disability lawyer from Pilzer Klein can help with the process of applying for benefits. We can file your claim while you focus on your health.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy refers to a group of disorders caused by damage to the peripheral nerves that transmit signals between the brain/spinal cord and the rest of the body. This nerve damage disrupts the ability to receive and interpret sensory information like pain, temperature, and touch.

The most common form is peripheral neuropathy, which manifests through symptoms such as:

• Numbness, tingling, and prickling sensations, often in the hands and feet
• Burning or jabbing pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Lack of coordination/balance issues
• Muscle weakness and atrophy

Neuropathy results from a variety of potential underlying medical conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, injuries, infections, or exposure to toxins. As the nerves deteriorate, neuropathy grows progressively worse over time.

Neuropathy and Social Security Disability Qualification

The SSA applies strict standards in evaluating the degree of numbness, weakness, reflex operation, and impact on routine movements to determine if benefits are warranted. Disability evaluation under Social Security can prove cumbersome. Peripheral neuropathy cases lacking comprehensive medical evidence frequently face initial claim denials or drawn-out appeals. 

For purposes of evaluating disability claims, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has a specific listing (11.14) for peripheral neuropathy under Section 11.00 Neurological categories.

To meet this listing and potentially qualify for benefits, you must provide medical evidence and documentation showing either of the two:

• Disorganization of motor function in two extremities resulting in sustained disturbance of gross and dexterous movements, or gait abnormality
• Marked sensory and motor loss in two limbs causing inability to ambulate effectively without assistance

The key aspects are proving through clinical notes and test results that you experience significant and persistent incoordination, loss of sensation, muscle weakness, or ambulation issues directly stemming from damaged peripheral nerves.

Even if symptoms don’t meet the listing criteria, the SSA may still approve a disability claim for neuropathy through a “Residual Functional Capacity” (RFC) assessment. This determines if your ambulatory, sensory, and physical limitations prevent you from performing any substantial, gainful work.

Providing extensive medical records detailing your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and effect on daily activities represents the best path for approval. Working with a Social Security Disability lawyer can help you compile the strongest possible case file to obtain benefits for peripheral neuropathy.

Substantiating Neuropathy Through Medical Documentation

For the Social Security Administration to approve a disability claim based on neuropathy, having an extensive trail of detailed medical records represents a necessity. The SSA requires objective proof that the progressive nerve damage and related symptoms render you unable to perform any substantial, gainful work.

Some of the key medical evidence needed includes the following.

Diagnosis and Cause

Documentation pinpointing the specific type of neuropathy you suffer from (e.g., peripheral, autonomic, etc.) and the underlying condition causing the nerve damage, like diabetes, autoimmune disease, or toxin exposure, can support your claim. 

Symptoms and Their Impact

Another piece of evidence that can support your claim is detailed clinical notes from physicians describing the frequency, severity, and disabling effects of symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning sensations, loss of reflexes, lack of coordination, muscle weakness/atrophy, and ambulatory issues.

Treatment History

You will also need to show reports showing all treatments and medications attempted to manage neuropathy symptoms and slow nerve deterioration. Details on any surgical procedures like decompression efforts and documentation of therapeutic aids like braces, wheelchairs, or walkers can help.

Diagnostic Testing

Results from electromyography (EMG) tests measuring muscle response and nerve conduction studies assessing signal disruptions. Outcomes from other diagnostic imaging like CT scans or MRIs are used to identify nerve damage locations and extent.

Functional Limitation Assessments

A lawyer can also compile written evaluations from your neurologist, primary care doctor, or other treating providers analyzing how the numbness, weakness, and lack of mobility specifically impact your daily activities and ability to work.

The more thoroughly substantiated your medical records are, the stronger your claim for disability benefits becomes. Providing a comprehensive, chronological file illustrating the progression, treatment, and functional limitations of your neuropathy gives SSA representatives tangible evidence to approve.

A Social Security Disability lawyer can pinpoint any potential gaps in documentation and partner with your medical team to secure the objective records required. With a substantiated claim file, qualifying for benefits becomes exponentially more attainable.

Get Help With Your Social Security Disability Claim Involving Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a complex condition stemming from many potential causes, such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, injuries, and chemotherapy. Without definitive clinical testing, proving the existence of significant, sustained nerve damage in the technical manner required by the SSA presents obstacles during the claims process.

Additionally, neuropathy symptoms exist on a wide spectrum from mild to severe sensory and mobility disruptions. Simply documenting a diagnosis often doesn’t suffice. Claimants must show specific medical data demonstrating that their particular case reaches the threshold of a disabling condition. 

The legal team at Pilzer Klein can help with your claim. Contact Pilzer Klein today to begin a free consultation. We can explain what makes us different from other law firms and how we can help you.