Many Floridians only find out they have heart blockage when they are rushed to the hospital with chest pain, shortness of breath, or arm/jaw pain. What kind of testing will you have? A 64 sliced or CT angiography that produces Star Wars quality 3-D images of your heart and blood vessels or the gold standard angiogram? Your cardiac condition could be the basis of a claim for Social Security Disability benefits.

In the New York Times on December 2, 2008, I read an article  by Roni Caryn Rabin entitled  “Cardiologists Debate Expensive Heart Scans”. You can learn about the differences in these tests and the “rancorous debate” among cardiologists about which test to use when and what is the better test.

One doctor suggested that the CT angiography “could be a good screening test for patients not known to have heart disease who develop sudden chest pain.”

Another doctor pointed out that the real question is whether CT scans “improve patient outcomes.” If you are suspected of having heart disease it was suggested that the angiography is more appropriate. If you have never had symptoms, the CT scan is for you.

Nancy Cavey, a Pinellas County based Social Security Disability attorney suggests you look at this article and consult with your doctor about which test is appropriate for you. Please contact Cavey and Barrett for your free Social Security disability claims consultation. and book on “Your Rights to Social Security Disability.”

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According to the Counsel for Disability Awareness, three out of ten American workers will become disabled  during their working lives.

Do you know, that according to the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 48.9 million Americans have some type of disability and 16 million are unable to work in any capacity.

If you are unable to support yourself or your family because of a disability, you should apply for Social Security Disability benefits. At Cavey and Barrett, Pinellas County Social Security Disability lawyers, we find that most Social Security disability applicants are denied benefits at the initial ad reconsideration stage. The Social Security Administration’s denial isn’t because the applicant doesn’t have a real disability or are able to support themselves.

Sharon Barrett, who was employed by the Social Security Administration as a staff disability attorney, reviewed thousands of denied Social Security Disability applications. Sharon will tell you that most Social Security claims denials are because the social security  disability applicant didn’t understand the standards used by the Social Security administration in evaluating a claim and didn’t have the proper medical evidence.

All too frequently, Social Security disability benefits are denied simply because the applicant didn’t know how to go about properly filing their claim and submitting appropriate documentation.

At Cavey and Barrett, we can assist you every step of the way. We will help you file your initial claim for Social Security disability benefits, collect your medical records, assist you with the appeal process, if necessary, secure appropriate medical documents from your doctor to establish your disability, file a prehearing memorandum of law, prepare you for the hearing in front of the administrative law judge, and be your advocate before the Judge.

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Do you know you can claim Social Security Disability Benefits for Cardiac Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Cardiac Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can cause you to have shortness of breath with a simple activity like walking from room to room, walking to your car, grocery shopping, or attending church.

The Social Security Administration has very stringent definitions of disability for these types of claims.

Your doctor’s medical records will be crucial in documenting your disability. It is very important that you keep a list of your symptoms and make sure that those symptoms are part of your doctor’s records. The Social Security Administration also want to see that you are getting regular medical treatment.

I suggest that you keep a log of physical activities that cause you to have shortness of breath, how long that shortness of breath lasts, what side effects of any medication you’re having, and how you’re limiting your physical activity because of your shortness of breath. Make sure that is part of your medical records, and that you outline these difficulties in your Social Security Disability Application.

Qualified applicants are often denied Social Security disability benefits because they have not provided the Social Security administration with the necessary evidence to win their claim. You can increase your chances of winning Social Security disability benefits by contacting a Social Security disability lawyer who has experience in handling cardiac obstructive pulmonary disease Social Security disability claims. Your lawyer can help you gather the necessary medical records from your physician and have your physician complete a Residual Functional Capacity form documenting your physical difficulties. Your doctor will need your log to actually complete the residual functional capacity form.

Before you apply for disability benefits or if you’ve been denied Social Security Disability benefits for COPD, contact a lawyer, such as Sharon Barrett, who has extensive COPD disability experience.

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Do you know that the Social Security Administration may schedule you for a Social Security Disability Consultative examination?

Do you need to attend? At Cavey and Barrett we tell all our clients to attend and to cooperate.

If you do not attend the examination your claim will be denied. If you can’t attend the examination, look closely at the notice. You should find the name and telephone number of your caseworker on that letter.  Call them immediately and ask for your appointment to be rescheduled. Keep a record of your telephone call and be sure to note the date of your call, the time of her call, who you spoke to and what they told you. Better yet, send a letter certified mail, asking that the appointment be rescheduled. You’ll have proof of your contact.

If the appointment has not been rescheduled within 10 days of your call, follow-up once again and document or communications with the Social Security administration.

There is a reason that the Social Security administration has scheduled this examination and it probably is that there is not enough proof in your file to establish that you are entitled to Social Security disability benefits.

You must provide the Social Security administration with the evidence they need to determine whether or not you are entitled to Social Security disability benefits. If you’re uncertain why the examination was scheduled or about what to do or say at the examination, you should consult an experienced Social Security Disability attorney who can help prepare you for this important examination. Being prepared for this examination can be the difference between winning benefits and being denied Social Security disability benefits.

For assistance with your social security disability claim in the Tampa Bay area contact Cavey and Barrett at 727 – 894 – 3188.

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Change is coming to the Social Security Disability Claims Process under President Obama. Has your claim for Social Security Disability Benefits been wrongfully denied? Have you waited forever for a hearing?

You should check out Barack Obama website! There is a plan to ” Empower Americans with Disabilities,” which describes Obama’s plan to resolve the nation’s Social Security Disability issues.

The plan is divided into four parts which focus on how to provide disabled Americans opportunities for the best quality of life:

1. Provide Americans with disabilities the educational opportunities to succeed
2. End discrimination and promote equal opportunity for the disabled.
3. Increase the employment rate of workers with disabilities
4. Support the independent, community-based living for Americans with disabilities

Obama supports a $150 million increase in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) budget.

The Obama administration is committed to streamlining the application and appeal process and acknowledge that process has been grossly under funded.

- The SSA claims backlog has reached a record high of 755,000, an increase of over 440,000 since 2000.
- The average weight time for an appeals hearing is 505 days, compared to 258 days in 2000.

Cavey and Barrett, your St. Petersburg Social Security disability claims attorneys, support these efforts and will keep you advised about how and when to call your Congressional representative. We are committed to helping those in the Tampa Bay area with their denied claim for Social Security Disability Benefits.

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