Multiple Sclerosis

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

MS is a disease which affects the brain and central nervous systems. It often affects people between the ages of 16-55 and more often affects women than men. Currently, there is no cure for this disease, but there are treatments which can help an individual manage the symptoms of the disease.

What are the symptoms of MS?

Symptoms of the disease differ greatly from person to person, but include: numbness or weakness in one or more arms or legs; tremors; partial or complete loss of vision or blurry vision; slurred speech; fatigue; dizziness; and lack of coordination.

How does SSA determine eligibility for MS?

How does one qualify for Social Security benefits with MS? Unfortunately, the diagnosis alone will not qualify you for benefits. SS is specifically looking at how the disease affects an individual’s ability to function: such as one’s ability to stand from a seated position; your ability to balance while standing or walking; or your ability to use your upper arms. SS will also look at how the disease affects your ability to understand and remember things, how it affects your ability to interact with others, how it affects your ability to concentrate and persist at tasks and how it affects your ability to adapt and manage yourself.

How can Balin Law help?

At Balin Law, we help our clients assemble the technical information Social Security wants to see. We interact with your doctors and treatment providers to make sure the Social Security understands exactly how this disease impacts your ability to function in a working environment and we make sure that Social Security understands how this terrible disease affects our clients on a very personal level. If you have MS and have been denied or have questions, we offer free case evaluations.