Is Inclusion Body Myositis A Disability?

Yes. According to the Social Security Administration, a disability is the inability to engage in any gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months.

The Social Security Administration uses this strict definition and according to it, short-term disability does not entitle one to benefits as there are other sources to provide support to the temporarily disabled person such as worker’s compensation, insurance, savings and investments.

Relatively speaking, due to its significant effects, Inclusion Body Myositis is considered a disability, which may grant one to certain benefits, such as the Supplemental Security Income.

What is Inclusion Body Myositis?

Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic and progressive muscle inflammation, which leads to muscle weakness and impairment in mobility. Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) is an idiopathic condition as it spontaneously happens, and targets mostly male in their 50s. As IBM progresses, people afflicted with it find it very difficult, if not impossible, to perform daily activities on their own, and instead necessitate the assistance to perform the same. While it does not affect life expectancy, it may nevertheless affect quality of life.

What Are The Symptoms And Cure For Inclusion Body Myositis?

While IBM symptoms vary in people, persons afflicted with IBM commonly experience the following:

• weakness in their distal flexor muscles of their wrist fingers, which may be manifested in difficulty in pinching or grasping
• weakness in their thighs;
• weakness in their asymmetric body
• mild and frequent muscle pain
• visible muscle atrophy or the thinning of muscles and
• difficulty in swallowing

Currently, Inclusion Body Myositis has no cure, but its effect can be managed through any of the following, or combination hereof, to wit:

• physical therapy;
• healthy lifestyle
• occupational therapy
• speech-language therapy
• medications
• assistive devices and
• surgery

How Is Inclusion Body Myositis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of Inclusion Body Myositis may require a combination of testing modalities which includes blood tests, clinical exams, myositis autoantibody testing, magnetic resonance imaging, assessment of electrical activity in muscles or nerves, and muscle biopsy.

Can You Apply For Benefits On The Ground Of Inclusion Body Myositis?

Yes. There are two primary considerations for one to apply for benefits:

• Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and
• Have a medical condition that meets the qualification for disability under the Blue Book

In addition to the aforementioned, the Social Security Administration will need to determine the qualification of the applicant with consideration to the additional factors such as the following:

• The disability diagnosis
• How severely the disability limits the applicant’s functionality
• The length of time of the disability is expected to affect the applicant and
• Financial situation

What Is The Benefit If The Application Is Approved?

If the application is approved, a person suffering from Inclusion Body Myositis may be entitled to Supplemental Security Income, a program which provides monthly payment to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits.

How to Apply for Inclusion Body Myositis Disability Benefits?

To apply for disability benefits, medical and other information has to be submitted to the Social Security Administration, as they may see fit, who shall determine the application using the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool.

An approved application grants the applicant monthly benefits, or the so-called Supplemental Security Income. Generally, there is a five-month waiting period before payment of benefits on the sixth month after the date the Social Security Administration found the disability.

How To Make An Appeal If The Application Is Denied?

Denial may be founded on two grounds, namely medical and non-medical reasons. If the application is denied due to medical reasons,, an appeal report and appeal disability report may be submitted. On the other hand, non-medical appeal requests may be submitted if the denial is for non-medical reasons.

Need Assistance In Your Application?

As a law firm that is composed of competent Social Security Disability Lawyers, Chermol & Fishman, LLC is on your side to help you get the benefits you need and should have. If you need assistance to prove your eligibility, reach out to us at 1-888-774-7243.