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2 CHALLENGES OF A MENTAL DISABILITY CLAIM


Our firm frequently handles Social Security disability claims for individuals with a mental or emotional impairment.  I think there are 2 challenges to winning these type of claims for our clients.

First, we should direct the claimant to good medical treatment.  Too often people will ignore psychological problems - sometimes because they are self-conscious, or perhaps because they think they can't afford treatment.  The lack of medical treatment not only hurts the ability to win a Social Security disability claim, it also results in the patient not getting better.  Our office will gladly provide you with non-profit clinics or mental health providers that may help at a fee you can afford to pay.

The second challenge is, we have to show the results of the impairment in vocational terms.  How does this condition prevent the individual from working?  What mental functions are impaired?  Is it concentration, mood, memory, the ability to follow instructions, or the inability to get along with co-workers or supervisors?  Is the claimant sedated as a side effect of medications?  Is her judgment poor enough to prevent functioning on the job? How severe are these limitations?

 We've seen cases where winning the disability claim was just part of the benefit "package."  After getting proper treatment, the claimant also began to feel better and start to enjoy life again.  Whenever we can win a disability claim and help someone improve their life - that's a great day in our book.

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