If you have multiple sclerosis and the symptoms are so severe that you are unable to work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a medical guide, which is called the Blue Book, to determine if a claimant qualifies for disability benefits.
If you cannot meet the criteria of a listing to have your claim approved, you may qualify using a medical vocational allowance and a residual functional capacity (RFC). The RFC is a detailed form completed by a physician explaining what you can and cannot do.
How To Use the RFC When You Have Multiple Sclerosis
The RFC will present a better picture of your restrictions and limitations. As an example, multiple sclerosis can cause pain in the back, which will limit your time standing or walking, you may also suffer pain in the eyes, which require frequent breaks to rest your eyes.
Tremors could affect your hands, and make doing fine tasks, such as thumbing, sorting, or operating equipment impossible. You may suffer weakness that makes carrying and lifting too difficult.
You have been an administrative assistant for 30 years, and you are now 55. Your MS has made it impossible for you to sort documents, complete forms, and review files on the computer screen or in paper format.
You cannot sit for more than an hour without repositioning, and you require frequent breaks because of pain. Your pain medications cause drowsiness and dizziness, which affect your work performance more. Because of your age and your medical condition, you are unable to train for another job.
What To Include With Your RFC For Multiple Sclerosis
When you use the medical vocational allowance, your age, work history, work skills, educational background, and medical conditions are taken into consideration. The disability examiner will determine what kind of work – if there is any – that you can do.
When your RFC is submitted for review, you will need to provide supporting medical documentation and other evidence that back up your claim. You will need to provide a detailed list of your medical providers along with the dates of service and their contact information.
These records should include physician notes, exam records, tests results such as spinal taps, scans and imaging reports, and other details that confirm the diagnosis, detail the symptoms and side effects, and explain the plan of treatment. This will help the disability examiner make an informed decision regarding your disability claim for multiple sclerosis.
Get Help With Your RFC For Multiple Sclerosis
If you are applying for Social Security Disability because of multiple sclerosis, you should enlist the help of a disability attorney. An attorney will be able to review your medical records, your RFC, and other evidence and determine if you have all the supporting documentation that the disability examiner needs to make a favorable decision for your claim. To ensure your disability claim has the support of experienced legal representation, complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page today.
