It is not rare to be denied New England Social Security disability benefits the first time you apply. And when you have an unpredictable condition like multiple sclerosis (MS), you could be unable to qualify one year and in real need of benefits the next. As Massachusetts disability experts, we urge you not to give up.
What You Should Know About MS
Here are some of the facts about MS:
- The number of cases of multiple sclerosis diagnosed each year in the U.S. is difficult to say for certain because there is no foolproof test to diagnose the disease.
- It is believed that about 400,000 Americans and 2.5 million people worldwide suffer from this disease. About 200 new cases are diagnosed each week in the United States.
- The cause for MS is unknown. Most researchers think that the disease is related to a genetic defect or a virus; some say it may be both.
- The disease involves the myelin sheath that coats and protects nerve cells. MS damages this nerve covering and nerve signals are disrupted, causing them to slow or even stop.
- While anyone at any age can get it, MS is more commonly diagnosed in women between the ages of 20 and 40, who are two and a half more times likely than men to develop multiple sclerosis.
- It is suspected that MS runs in families. It’s known that it is more prevalent in some parts of the world than others.
- The white race is twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of MS.
- About 50 percent of MS patients worldwide left their jobs within three years of diagnosis. Some 85 percent of these people said that fatigue was a big factor in being unable to work.
Stages of MS
There are four stages of MS: relapsing-remitting, primary-progressive, secondary-progressive, and progressive-relapsing. About 85 percent of all sufferers are diagnosed in the first stage and 50 percent reach the third stage within ten years.
If you are included in these statistics, then you know how debilitating MS can be. Classified as a neurological disorder by the SSA disability program’s “Listing of Impairments,” MS is definitely a qualifying condition for receiving Massachusetts SSA disability benefits.
Are You Looking for a Social Security Disability Attorney in Boston, MA?
If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 888.904.6847 to schedule your free consultation.
