Stroke

Strokes are life-changing conditions. It can happen suddenly. When it does, your future may look uncertain.

Some people fully recover. Others suffer ongoing impairment that impacts every factor of their life. Stroke disability benefits could be available to you in these cases.

Our Social Security disability lawyers can provide you with insight. They can help you qualify for SSDI. Individuals with ongoing limitations should consult with an attorney before applying. Let us work closely with you to determine your qualifications.

What Is a Stroke?

A stroke is a sudden interruption of the blood supply to a portion of the brain. The lack of blood supply causes the cells and tissues within the brain to die off. This impacts your brain’s ability to function normally.

The type of impairment you have is dependent on numerous factors. That includes the location of the blockage in the brain. Extensive damage can create a significant impact on your life. Some examples of impairments include:

People with long-term impairments benefit from working with a disability attorney. They can help to document the extent of their injuries. This is essential in situations where your impairments impact your ability to work.

Stroke Recovery Varies

A component of your qualification for disability is whether your stroke symptoms improve. Small strokes treated promptly may not have a significant impact on brain function. That means the symptoms you have now could improve.

This does not happen for all people. A moderate to severe stroke can create permanent damage to the brain. This leads to one or more impairments to your ability to function. You may be able to seek Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). That is if you suffer permanent disability.

SSDI Qualifications for Stroke-Related Claims

The Social Security Administration (SSA) wants to know why you cannot work. You may be able to receive monthly payments if you contributed to Social Security. This applies in situations where you are unable to return to work due to the impairments you have.

Some examples of when you may qualify for SSDI include:

• You can no longer speak or write effectively. This may be due to a diagnosis of expressive aphasia. This condition occurs when it is difficult to form words. Sensory aphasia may also apply. This form occurs when you cannot understand or maintain sensical speech.
• You have two or more extremity limitations. This may include arms or legs, or a combination. A lack of control of movement for at least three months allows you to qualify. It must result in extreme difficulty in balancing to stand or walk. Moving from a seated position to a standing position may not be possible.
• You have marked thinking problems. That means you cannot understand or remember information. You may struggle to apply information logically.
• You cannot finish tasks as you did. This may be due to a lack of concentration. You may have struggled to complete tasks fast enough.
• You cannot interact with others. This may be due to a lack of communication or a lack of behavioral control.
• You cannot effectively control emotions or behavior. This may include being unable to respond to your demands. You may not be able to adapt to changing conditions.
• You have significant vision loss from the stroke.

Consider all of the ways your stroke symptoms impact your ability to do your job. Communicating this to the SSA is necessary. These symptoms must have lasted at least three months. They should also be unlikely to improve beyond a small amount.

Evidence Needed to Obtain SSA for a Stroke

The SSA eligibility requirements for a stroke fall under the 11.00 listing. You must demonstrate with objective medical evidence that you have a significant impairment. That evidence must come from an acceptable medical source.

Many of the tests your doctor runs to monitor your progress can help you document these losses. Some examples include:

• Imaging from a CT or MRI that shows the area of the brain impacted
• Statements from doctors that provide insight into the level of improvement you have
• Medical records showing the treatment strategies you used
• Documentation showing you completed the required rehabilitation strategies recommended by your doctor
• Clarity on how the limitations impact your ability to do your job

Many people receive extensive therapy after a stroke. It can take months to see any improvement. Accurate and comprehensive therapy documentation works to support your right to disability.

Any residual effects from a stroke need careful documentation. Demonstrate those limitations clearly to qualify for disability after a stroke. That may include showing physical limitations. You may need to communicate with a judge at a hearing.

There are times when a judge will call in a Medical Expert (ME). This is a third-party doctor. Their job is to provide unbiased information about your condition. The ME explains to the judge how and where the brain damage occurred. They then discuss the symptoms and complications you have. The ME may offer insight into the likelihood that your condition will improve.

Our Social Security Disability Insurance Attorney Can Help You

SSDI for stroke survivors is not an automatic award. You must demonstrate that you had a stroke that caused impairment.

You must then demonstrate that you have worked for at least three months to regain your abilities. Then, you must demonstrate the extent of your continued impairments on your job.

This process is complex. Work with our SSDI attorney to gain insight into your legal options. We will gather the medical evidence to document your claim. Our attorneys know what SSA expects and may be able to help you demonstrate the extent of your losses as a result.