In this video Marc Whitehead, Board Certified Disability Insurance Attorney, discusses how to prove diabetic neuropathy qualifies you for Disability Insurance benefits.
Almost 26 million children and adults have Type II Diabetics according to the American Diabetes Association and many of these people also suffer from peripheral neuropathy as a result of diabetes related nerve damage. Neuropathy may become increasingly more server over time causing pain, numbness and weakness in the hands, feet and other parts of the body and eventually compromise an individuals ability to work and complete normal daily activities. If neuropathy makes it impossible for you to continue completing your normal functions of your job, you will likely need to apply for Disability Benefits and prove that this disability is legitimately preventing you from working.
The following forms of documentation will help you prove your case and receive the benefits that you need to support yourself.
1- Medical Records: The most obvious evidence that you will need is your complete medical history including a neurologist diagnosis or your peripheral neuropathy based on nerve testings such as MRI's, nerve biopsies, Blood tests, nerve conduction tests or spinal tap. 2- Documentation of Treatment: Presenting an initial diagnosis of Peripheral Neuropathy is generally not enough in a long term Disability Case. You need to prove that you have continued the recommended treatment. If you can't prove that you've received regular treatment from a neurologist or other medical provider, your claim may be denied.
In order to prove that you can no longer work in the capacity that you used to you need to prove that your Neuropathy hinders your completion of basic day to day activities. The most straight forward way to do this is by tracking how long it takes you to do certain tasks and what type of pain and other symptoms you experience while completing these daily activities. Things such as showering, dressing and completing household chores. If you write all of this down in an activity log, you can use that log as evidence.
Finally get a written statement from a Neurologist. To make your claim even stronger you should have your Neurologist write and sign a detailed statement stating the symptoms you experience, how those symptoms are disabling you and what they recommend for your course of treatment.
