Youngstown Neurological Disorder Lawyer

Neurological disorders can cause severe physical, mental, and emotional side effects that make it impossible to maintain employment. If you have a neurological injury or illness and cannot work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.

Berger and Green’s Youngstown, OH, neurological disorder lawyers can file your initial application and appeal denied claims. You do not have to navigate the complex Social Security system alone. Our attorneys can stand by your side and put our 40-plus years of experience behind establishing your right to benefits. We can help you get started with a free, no-obligation consultation.

Neurological Disorders Can Be Severe and Debilitating

Neurological disorders can affect the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system. These ailments can cause problems with motor function, cognitive abilities, mood, and behavior. If you cannot work because of a neurological injury or illness, our SSD attorneys can help you seek resources to help with your monthly bills and living expenses. However, you must meet the Social Security Administration (SSA) definition of a disability.

The SSA recognizes that some neurological conditions are so severe that their symptoms can be disabling and prevent an individual from working. The SSA lists neurological disorders that may qualify for SSD in the Blue Book under Section 11.00. They include but are not limited to:

• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Epilepsy
• Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Benign brain tumors
• Spinal cord disorders
• Parkinson’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

The Blue Book also lists specific criteria for evaluating whether a condition prevents a sufferer from working. For many neurological disorders, the SSA mandates that the condition must significantly limit physical functioning and cause a limitation in one of the following:

• Understanding, remembering, and applying information
• Interacting with others
• Concentrating, persisting at a task, or maintaining pace
• Adapting or managing yourself

If you have a neurological ailment not in the Blue Book, you can still qualify for benefits if your condition meets the same criteria and is as severe as a listed disorder. However, it may make your claim or appeal more difficult to prove, and you will likely need to supply the SSA with additional medical information. This is when legal representation can become especially helpful.

Does Your Condition Prevent You from Earning Substantial Income?

When deciding your disability claim, the SSA will also look at whether your neurological disorder affects your work capabilities to the point that you cannot perform substantial gainful activity (SGA) for a minimum of 12 months.

According to the SSA, the SGA limit for 2023 is $1,470 per person per month, on average. If you can earn this at your current job or by doing another kind of work, the SSA does not consider you disabled.

You should start on your claim as soon as your condition interferes with your ability to earn a living. Our Youngstown neurological disorder lawyer can file your initial application right away. We can also help you appeal.

What Social Security Disability Benefits Can You Pursue?

Social Security Disability encompasses two separate programs:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This program benefits “insured” workers who have earned work credits through their employment. Younger workers may need fewer credits, but you generally must have a minimum of 20 (or five years of work) to qualify.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You do not need earned work credits to receive SSI. Instead, eligibility for the program is needs-based, and benefits are available for those with limited income and resources.

You may qualify for both programs simultaneously, but each has its own application. Our attorneys can ensure you complete and submit the proper forms.

How Much Is Your Claim Worth?

Your monthly SSDI benefits will depend on your earned work credits. Usually, the more credits you have, the more you will receive. You can estimate your claim using the SSA’s Benefits Calculator.

SSI benefits are set at a yearly rate based on economic indicators. For 2023, individuals can receive $914 per month. Our Ohio SSD lawyers can also help you file.

Our Youngstown Neurological Disorder Attorneys Can Appeal Denied Benefits Claims

If the SSA denies your initial application, proving your right to benefits can become complicated. Furthermore, you do not have much time to fight the decision. You must file for an appeal within 60 days of receiving notice of an unfavorable determination.

Our Youngstown neurological disorder lawyers can help you take action before time runs out and manage your claim through the four stages of an appeal:

1. Reconsideration. Our attorneys can submit new medical or non-medical evidence (if available), correct application errors, or rectify other mistakes that led to your denial. We can then ask for a reconsideration of the initial determination.
2. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing. This is an official preceding. You can introduce evidence, call witnesses, and the Judge will ask questions. We can prepare you and your case and represent you throughout. If you cannot/do not want to attend in person, we can request the hearing over the phone or by video conference.
3. Appeals Council review. We can ask the Appeals Council to examine the decision if we disagree with the ALJ ruling.
4. Civil court action. If necessary, we can pursue your claim in U.S. District Court.

Berger and Green Will Stand by Your Side – Call Us for Help Today

For more than four decades, Berger and Green has helped injured clients get the Social Security Disability benefits they deserve. We will stand by your side and use our experience to fight for you and protect your financial stability.

We want our services to be accessible, no matter your current situation, so we take disability cases on a contingency basis. This means you will pay us no money up front or out of pocket. We collect an attorney’s fee only if you receive benefits. Contact us today for a free consultation.