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Medical Issues

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are payable to claimants who can demonstrate and document a medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) that prevents them from engaging in substantial gainful activity. The first inquiry, therefore, in proving a disability case focuses on evaluating the medical evidence. In order to better understand medical terminology, testing, and overall medical evidence, this section includes articles and links to information on a variety of medical conditions. In addition, subsections include proposed and final changes to SSA’s Listing of Impairments, links to medical websites, and information on other advocacy resources in the Medicaid and Medicare areas Empire Justice Center Health Page/NY Health Access Page).


ARTICLES

VA Disability Questionnaires Available
Having trouble getting evaluations from the Veterans Administration? Advocates report that using the VA’s own disability questionnaires may improve your response rate. Read More

What Is...Transverse Myelitis
Transverse Myelitis (hereinafter “TM”) is a neurological disorder caused by inflammation across both sides of one segment of the spinal cord. TM is a rare disorder described as a “softening of the spinal cord.” Read More

What Is...Sjorgen's Syndrome
A disease that has recently come to great media attention due to Venus Williams’s recent diagnosis is Sjorgen’s Syndrome. But although Venus Williams may be famous, this disease is not and has everyone wondering, what is Sjorgen’s Syndrome? Read More


Medical Issues: Articles





NEWSLETTERS

Disability Law News - March 2013 Issue
The Disability Law News is a quarterly newsletter published for DAP advocates. Featured in this issue are details on the new Social Security Ruling (SSR) 13-2p Evaluating Cases Involving Drug and Alcoholism (DAA). Additional articles include an analysis of the Court of Appeals decision on the treating physician rule. Also in this issue you will find articles on regulations, additional Court Decisions and many helpful websites listed in Web News. Read More

Disabiltiy Law News - September 2012
The Disability Law News is a quarterly newsletter published for DAP advocates. In this issue we will discuss the Second Circuit's Ruling on DAA (drug adiction or alcohol) issues and take a closer look at a recent GAO report on Kids' SSI. Additional articles discuss new regulations, recent Court Decisions and Administrative Decisions. In this issue look for several new and helpful websites in Web News. Read More



TRAINING AND EVENTS

Maximizing Health coverage for DAP clients - Before and After Winning the Case
Brief overview will include: recent changes to Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus; Medicaid managed care for SSI recipients; transitioning to Medicare. Read More

Effect of Holocaust Reparations on Medicaid, SSI and Other Benefits
The Victims of Nazi Persecution Act of 1994 creates a special right for survivors of the Holocaust. When they apply for federally funded benefits or services that are based on financial need, the payments they have received based on their status as a victim of Nazi persecution are not counted in determining their financial eligibility for these federally funded benefits. Read More