Diabetes is one of the most common afflictions in this country. Roughly 34.2 million people — slightly more than 10% of the population — suffer from some form of the disease.
Many people with diabetes live full, productive lives with little interruption to their work or personal lives. Others have a lot more trouble. The Social Security Administration recognizes that diabetes can, sometimes, be disabling.
Whether you have Type I or Type II diabetes or a mixed form of the disorder (like “brittle” diabetes), you can make a successful claim for disability benefits — but you need to explain exactly what problems your diabetes causes you.
For example, you may experience:
- Extreme blood sugar highs or lows that cause you to have an altered mental state or periods of confusion
- Extreme fatigue, weakness or fainting
- Irritability and mood swings related to your blood sugar levels
- Blurred vision or even a permanent loss of your vision, especially if your diabetes is poorly controlled
- Frequent thirst, hunger and urination
- Decreased kidney functioning, leading to kidney failure
- Problems with bruises and poor healing of wounds, which can also lead to infections, gangrene and amputations
- Diabetic neuropathy, which is a burning, tingling or needling pain in your fingers, hands, toes or feet
- Difficulty walking due to nerve pain or swelling in your legs and feet
When you file for Social Security Disability benefits, you have to list off all of the symptoms that you have and explain how often they affect you and in what way that they limit you. It’s important to remember that not all diabetics have the same experiences, so you can’t just put down “diabetic” on the benefit application forms and expect that the claims examiner will understand the specifics of your case.
Getting approved for Social Security Disability benefits isn’t easy. If you’ve already been denied once, don’t take chances: Get experienced assistance with your claim.