Your diabetic neuropathy may make you eligible for disability benefits. The severity of your condition will determine the decision. You will have to demonstrate that your diabetic neuropathy prevents you from working.
One type of nerve injury that arises from diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. It is the result of persistently elevated blood sugar levels and takes time to manifest.
Individuals who have diabetic neuropathy frequently get tingling and numbness in their legs or arms. The location of the nerve injury determines the particular symptoms.
Walking and standing could be difficult due to severe diabetic neuropathy. It might also have an impact on cognitive functions including memory and social interaction.
Does diabetic neuropathy qualify you for disability?
You may be eligible for disability benefits if you have diabetic neuropathy.
For your symptoms to be classified as a medical impairment, they must satisfy one of two requirements established by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
One necessitates having two extremities—typically the arms and legs—with compromised function. The other disability causes a severe restriction in:
- standing from a seated position
- balancing when walking or standing
- using your upper limbs when it prevents you from performing duties that are related to your job
Additionally, you must demonstrate deficits in clear bodily functions that keep you from:
- Remembering or applying information: This involves identifying and fixing errors as well as solving problems.
- Managing or adapting yourself: You must be able to keep yourself clean and set reasonable goals.
- Persisting, concentrating, or maintaining pace: This assesses your ability to concentrate on and finish a task.
- Interacting with others: Colleagues and supervisors must be able to collaborate and communicate with you.
Not every diabetic neuropathy will be eligible for disability benefits. Your condition must interfere with your ability to work and must do so for a minimum of one year to meet the criteria.
Does diabetic neuropathy qualify for other accommodations?
Indeed. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) classifies diabetes as a disability, therefore your employer is required to make reasonable accommodations for you so that you may perform your job duties. Several of these modifications might consist of:
- breaks to check your blood sugar (glucose) levels
- breaks to self-administer insulin
- a convenient location to store supplies and prescriptions for diabetes
- a customized stool or chair that can help reduce weariness brought on by neuropathy symptoms
Disability benefits for diabetic neuropathy
You may be eligible for varying amounts of disability compensation if you have diabetic neuropathy.
As of 2024, the maximum monthly benefit that the SSA will provide for any kind of disability is $3,822. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) would be used to pay for this.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may also be able to pay you up to a maximum monthly payment of $943 if you meet the requirements for financial necessity assessment.
The SSDI will pay out more than the SSI.
Your combined SSDI and SSI payments will be determined using the following formula:
- how much you have contributed to Social Security using withholdings from your paycheck
- your living situation (SSI)
- your assets (SSI)
You can enter your information in the SSA online planning tool to get an estimate of what your disability payout would be.
How do you prove diabetic neuropathy for disability hearings?
You must have proof of diagnosis for diabetic neuropathy for it to be considered a handicap. Additionally, you will have to demonstrate that your diabetic neuropathy is severe enough to keep you from working.
In particular, up-to-date medical and nonmedical records are required. Have the following ready:
- A comprehensive and current medical history regarding your diabetic neuropathy. It ought to contain test findings like these:
- Electrodiagnostic tests: Tests for nerve conduction velocity and electromyography are included in this.
- Nerve biopsy: This may indicate the extent of nerve injury.
- Autonomic testing: testing including blood pressure, heart rate monitoring, tilt tables, and perspiration tests.
- Quantitative sensory testing: This assesses damage to nerve endings.
- Imaging results: CT or MRI scans can rule out problems such as compression.
- a medical record outlining your physical restrictions. This includes problems with your extremities, your ability to move, your balance, or any other problem that keeps you from working.
- This could be beneficial if you record your symptoms in a notebook.
- Your medical background. Keep track of the drugs you take and how you react to them. Include any records you may have of your past use of physical therapy or assistive technology.
- You can occasionally need to undergo psychological testing as well.
You must provide proof that your diabetic neuropathy is active and keeps you from working. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you anticipate being out of work for at least a year.
How to apply for disability with diabetic neuropathy
When the time comes to apply for disability benefits due to diabetic neuropathy, you can do so online through the SSA. For new applicants, the SSA can also be reached via phone or in person.
You’ll be asked to gather identification, proof of employment history, and supporting documents.
You have the right to file an appeal if your application is denied. After going through the process twice, many persons are accepted because they have a greater understanding of the requirements and protocols for documentation.
Takeaway
For certain ailments, the SSA bases its disability benefit disbursements on particular standards. You may qualify for benefits if your medical records meet the SSA requirements for diabetic neuropathy.
FAQs
Does diabetic neuropathy qualify for disability?
Yes, peripheral neuropathy qualifies for disability benefits. But a doctor’s diagnosis is insufficient. The SSA must receive convincing proof that your neuropathy is so severe that it prevents you from performing the duties of a job.
Can you live a long life with diabetic neuropathy?
Despite being a chronic illness for which there is no known treatment, neuropathy does not always result in a shorter lifespan. Numerous neuropaths have active, fulfilling lives.
How do you prove diabetic neuropathy?
Diagnosing diabetic neuropathies involves a clinical examination, history, and relevant laboratory tests. Your physician might: Examine your reflexes and muscle strength. Assess the sensitivity of your muscles to temperature, vibration, posture, and light touch.
What is neuropathy disability score?
A combination of vibration perception using a 128-Hz tuning fork, temperature perception using a metallic rod, pin-prick sensation, and Achilles tendon reflexes is measured by the neuropathy disability score (NDS) [14].