According to the findings of a new study, individuals suffering from diabetes face a significantly increased risk of disability – for some, up to 80% higher – than those without the disease. This new research highlights the importance of recognizing the long-term effects of chronic conditions like diabetes, and applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to help cover the cost of diabetes treatment and any associated complications. If you are suffering from diabetes or another debilitating medical condition, and you think you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), contact our knowledgeable lawyers at Rechtman & Spevak today to discuss your legal options.
Disability Caused by Diabetes on the Rise
In the study, published on July 23 in the medical journal The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, the researchers examined data from 26 studies comparing the presence of disability in individuals with and without diabetes. For the purposes of the study, disability was defined as experiencing difficulties with mobility and daily activities, such as bathing, walking, eating and handling finances. In combination with an aging population and an increased prevalence of diabetes in the United States, the study authors found a considerable increase in disability associated with diabetes in the coming years.
Long-Term Effects of Diabetes
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes is characterized by high levels of blood glucose caused by a lack of insulin production, insulin action, or both. The body requires insulin to process glucose for energy, and in the most common form of diabetes – Type 2 diabetes – the body either fails to produce enough insulin or ignores what is produced. As a result, individuals with Type 2 diabetes may suffer from serious medical complications, including kidney damage, lower-limb amputations, blindness and premature death. Additional, non-health-related complications may include loss of income and costly medical bills.
Pursuing SSDI Benefits for Diabetes
The CDC estimates that 8.3% of Americans suffer from diabetes, and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) issued a study earlier this year indicating that people diagnosed with diabetes spend 2.3 times more on medical expenses than people without diabetes. Unfortunately, in pursuing SSDI benefits, a diabetes diagnosis alone does not make a person eligible; there must be additional complications caused by the disease that result in significantly limited functioning, such as difficulties seeing or walking. Furthermore, documenting these complications and collecting corresponding medical reports can help affected individuals build a successful claim for SSDI benefits.
Contact Our SSDI Lawyers Today to File a Claim
Social Security Disability Insurance is a federal disability insurance program that provides monthly benefits to individuals who haven’t reach retirement age and who can no longer work because of a serious disability. Unfortunately, statistics show that 67% of all initial disability claims are denied by the Social Security Administration, and the average wait time for an SSDI claim can be two to four years. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or another medical condition that has severely limited your ability to function or perform daily living activities, our Georgia SSDI attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak can help. Our law firm is located in Atlanta, and our lawyers have extensive experience protecting the rights of disabled individuals throughout Georgia. Contact our legal team today to file a claim.
