Columbus Neurological Disorder Lawyer

If you are living with a neurological disorder that makes it impossible for you to work and earn a living, a Columbus neurological disorder lawyer from our team can assess your options and help you apply for Social Security Disability benefits in Columbus, Ohio. 

A lawyer serving Columbus Social Security Disability claimants at Berger and Green knows what it takes to get approved for disability benefits and can help you through the often overwhelming application and appeal process. We can help you apply and also challenge a denial on your behalf if that becomes necessary. 

Contact us today to learn how we can help you seek and secure the benefits you need. Our law firm provides free initial consultations and works based on contingency fees.

A Lawyer Can Explain How Social Security Disability Works and Answer Your Questions

As Columbus neurological disorder attorneys, we understand the benefits available from the Social Security Administration. There are two programs available that provide benefits for individuals with a medical condition that will keep them from working for a minimum or 12 months or result in death. Both programs require the same stringent medical documentation of a disability but provide benefits based on different criteria otherwise. In general:

• You could qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you have a history of working and paying taxes before you received your diagnosis.
• You are more likely to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you have a low household income and few assets, and a limited work history.

Our attorneys will discuss this with you and help you decide which program best fits your needs. Some people may qualify for both programs. We can help you apply for SSDI, SSI, or both. 

Our Lawyers Know What It Takes to Qualify Based on a Neurological Disorder

To get approved for SSDI or SSI benefits, you must have strong evidence to prove that your condition is so severe that it keeps you from working a job and earning a living. Much of this evidence will come from your medical records. 

It might also come from an assessment of your residual functional capacity (what you can do despite your disabilities) or a consultative examination scheduled by the Social Security Administration and handled by an independent doctor. 

The criteria you must meet for your neurological disorder to qualify you for disability is found under Section 11.00 in the Blue Book. Section 11.00 lists a number of conditions, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), and traumatic brain injury. While each condition has its own specific details, in general, your records should show: 

• You have a diagnosed neurological disorder 
• You have been receiving treatment and care as recommended
• Your condition significantly limits your ability to work
• Your disability has lasted a year, is expected to last at least 12 months, or cause your death
• You cannot perform past work or adjust to other work because of your condition or other physical or cognitive limitations

A Columbus neurological disorder attorney can help you determine your eligibility.

What Types of Medical Records Do I Need to Have in My File?

It is a good idea to discuss your application with your doctor to ensure they understand the importance of your condition being clearly and adequately documented. The Social Security Administration has evidentiary requirements it looks for to document your disability. Ensuring they are in your medical file and your claim includes the correct contact information for your provider is essential. 

For a neurological disorder, this could include: 

• Records from your treating neurologist showing your diagnosis and progression of the disorder
• MRI, CT scans, EEG, or EMG results that document the condition
• Your medical treatment history, including medications and their effectiveness
• Physical therapy records, if applicable
• Doctor’s notes and other records showing your ongoing impairments and limitations

Without a complete medical file to support your claim, the Social Security Administration might ask you to attend a consultative examination, or they could deny your claim. 

How Our Lawyers Can Help You Pursue SSD If You Are Unable to Work

When you hire Berger and Green to handle your Social Security Disability claim, we do so from start to finish. We can file your application for benefits, answer your questions about the process, and challenge a denial. We represent clients in claims for Social Security Disability benefits with no upfront lawyers fees. We work based on contingency. 

The steps we can take to help you get the benefits you need and deserve include: 

File Your Application

Our attorneys can help you apply for benefits. We will ensure your application is complete and correct, including the sections that require contact information for your care providers. Documentation of your medical treatment is essential to getting approved for Social Security Disability benefits. 

Having a complete and accurate claim with strong medical records to support it, greatly increases your chances of getting approved for benefits based on your initial application. However, this does not always happen. We encourage you not to give up if your application is denied. If you receive a denial notice, our team can take steps to challenge the denial. 

Request Reconsideration

At Berger and Green, our Columbus neurological disorder attorneys are ready to step in and manage your appeal and fight to get the denial overturned. The first step in the appeals process is to ask Disability Determination Services to review and reconsider your claim and the supporting documentation they have on hand. 

Represent You to an Administrative Law Judge

The second step in the appeals process, which is often effective for many of our clients, is an Administrative Law Judge hearing. The Judge reviews the claim, documentation, and other evidence to determine if you meet the criteria. A Berger and Green Social Security disability lawyer will represent you in this hearing. 

Take Other Steps If You Have Not Received Approval for Benefits

Sometimes, we need to continue the appeals process to help our clients get the benefits they need. The next steps include requesting an Appeals Council review or taking the case to a Federal Court. 

Discuss Your Neurological Disorder and Disability With Our Attorneys Serving Columbus, OH,

Berger and Green provides free consultations for those who want help applying for Social Security Disability or need to appeal a denial. We can talk about your options and how a Columbus neurological disorder lawyer from our team can help. Contact us today to get started with a confidential consultation.