Many individuals living in West Virginia live with pain. It can sometimes be managed effectively, but in other cases, pain can interfere with a person’s ability to hold a job. If the pain persists, applying for Social Security Disability benefits may be a good idea.
The standards for receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration are stringent. The majority of first-time claims are denied, and it is not unusual for applicants to have to appeal the Social Security administration’s decision more than once. In some cases, however, there are steps an applicant can take to increase their chances of approval.
One way of doing this is to document symptoms, including pain. The administrator who reviews benefit applications is required to take pain levels and frequency into consideration. This means that individuals who are experiencing pain should seek medical attention and ensure that their medical provider is documenting pain and its treatment in the patient’s medical records.
The applicant’s medical provider can also document the ways in which pain affects the applicant. For example, pain may make it difficult for somebody to stand or sit in one place for long periods of time. In addition, chronic pain can inhibit a person’s ability to think clearly and thus may create a hardship for somebody in a cognitively challenging job. Pain may also contribute to depression, which can affect one’s job performance.
Individuals who are considering applying for SSDI or SSI may benefit from speaking with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney. The lawyer may be able to review the client’s case and medical records and make recommendations regarding strategies for successful application or appeal.