At Cavey and Barrett, your Pinellas and Hillsborough County Social Security Disability lawyers, we are ofter asked “Is it hard to get Social Security Disability benefits for a mental problem?”

Unfortunately, Social Security Disability applicants with psychiatric problems are routinely denied Social Security Disability benefits.

Unfortunately, disability claims examiners who make the decision about your initial disability application and reconsideration have very little training in evaluating mental impairments and their insight into those conditions is non-existent.

They will read and summarize your medical records and take them to a unit psychologist for review.

Unfortunately, the unit psychology consultants are not very good and routinely render inaccurate opinions about the mental Residual Functional Capacity forms.

At Cavey & Barrett we work closely with disabled Social Security applicants with psychological and psychiatric problems. We consult with your mental health counselor and secure documentation of your ongoing treatment. We will have your mental health counselor complete Residual Functional Capacity forms that accurately reflect the impact that psychological problems have on your ability to function.

Posted February 21st 2009 to Benefits Overview | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

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.

Posted November 29th 2008 to Getting a Lawyer | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

Do you know someone who has suffered electrical, chemical, or thermal burns? These are often horrific injuries that can affect bones, muscles, breathing, and even the function of the heart and kidneys.

The Social Security Administration evaluates a claim for Social Security Disability Benefits for burns by looking the predominant features of the impairment by body system. The starting point is Listing of Impairments-Section 8 and 8.08. Remember the disability must last or be expected to last for at least 12 continuous months.

If you have any questions about filing an application for Social Security Disability Benefits for Burns, please contact Cavey & Barrett, your Tampa Bay based Social Security Disability attorneys.

Posted October 24th 2008 to Social Security Benefits for Skin Disorders | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

The Social Security Administration has acknowledged that fibromyalgia is not diagnosed based on gold standard objective testing like MRI’s or  x-rays. The American College of Rheumatology has created a standard for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia which is, in part, based on subjective response you make while being examined.

An administrative law judge cannot reject the treating physician’s opinion regarding work-related limitations based on the absence of objective evidence.

However, I always like to have the treating physician and my client on the same page about your physical activities and restictions and limitations. I use a fibromyalgia residual functional disability form. Contact Nancy Cavey, a St. Petersburg Social Security disability attorney for a copy of the fibromyalgia residual functional disability form.

Posted July 27th 2008 to Social Security Benefits for Fibromyalgia,Social Security Benefts for Musculoskeletal and Spine | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

Skin disorders are evaluated under Listing of Impairments Section 8.00.

The Social Security administration evaluates skin disorders that can result from “hereditary, congenital or acquired pathological processes.” In evaluating the existence and severity of a skin disorder on the Social Security Administration wants “information about the onset, duration, frequency of flareups, prognosis and the location, size and appearance with lesions.” When appropriate, they will want a “history of your exposure to toxins, allergens and irritants, and familial incidence, seasonal variations, stress factors and your ability to function outside a highly protective environment.”

Laboratory findings or other medical evidence must be submitted.

The Social Security administration assesses the severity of a skin disorder based on the extent your skin lesions cause restriction of motion of your joints or use of your extremities, your ability to do fine and gross motor movements of your hands and your ability to walk.

They will also consider the frequency of your flareups, your symptoms including pain, and your treatment. This listing also considers the effects of medication, therapy, surgery or other treatment.

The Social Security Administration will also assess impairment that affects the skin and other body symptoms such as connective tissue disorders and other immune disorders.

You will require the services of an experienced Social Security attorney, such as Nancy Cavey, to fully develop the extensive medical and functional documentation required to meet this listing.

Click here for Listing Section 8.0.

Posted June 07th 2008 to Listing of Impairments,Social Security Benefits for Skin Disorders | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post