The BIG THREE (Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension): Be careful. YOU control how these conditions affect your Social Security Disability claim.
Ok, before I get started, let me get one thing straight. I am not saying that you should not put any information about these conditions in your Social Security Claim. That is NOT what I am saying. However, these conditions are unique in a variety of ways:
1) You control whether they get better
HYPERTENSION – in most situations, proper diet and proper exercise can go a long way towards making your situations better. It’s important that you take the opportunity to follow your treatment regiment.
ASTHMA – there are some things that you can do to prevent asthma attacks. You can avoid certain chemicals, dusts and fumes. You can avoid certain exercises and heat. You can avoid certain conditions.
DIABETES – like Hypertension, proper diet and proper exercise can go a long way. It’s important that you take the opportunity to follow your treatment regiment.
2) You control whether they get worse
Ok, here’s the part where I get GUTTER so get ready to get your feelings hurt.
HYPERTENSION – I don’t give a damn HOW much you like that bar-b-q fish sandwich. 1000 mg of salt is a 1000 mg of salt. Recognize this part as well. If your doctor is telling you that you need to lose weight, this is NOT a request. If you are obese and your diet is bad, it’s not going to help your case or your health.
ASTHMA – Repeat after me “SMOKING AND ASTHMA DON’T MIX”! That’s right, dammit, put the Black and Milds down. I down care how much you need to suck on that stick in order to relax. If you have asthma, you better learn to eat an apple.
DIABETES – I know you don’t like raw vegetables and OOOOOOOO, that haagen daas looks good. Back AWAY from the table. Like Hypertension, some things just don’t mix.
3) Doctors can put information in your case that may be harmful to your case
There are two words that doctors can put in your notes that are DEVASTATING to your claim:
UNCONTROLLED – in most instances, this word can mean two things. One, your condition is so far gone that it doesn’t matter what you do, you can’t get it under control. Or TWO, your condition is not being controlled by you. In any event, you don’t want a judge to decide which one of these she wants to pick.
NONCOMPLIANT – this word is like a written FORK. If it’s there, you’re done as far that condition is concerned. Unless you can give a great reason why you haven’t been doing what the doctor TOLD you to do (that’s what non compliance means), then a judge may determine that you aren’t TRYING to get better.
Most people don’t realize that they bear the burden of proving they are disabled. As such, you must take all necessary to make sure you do what you need to do.
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