Florida Social Security Disability

The social security administration released a report regarding awards in 2010.  A total of 1,026,988 disabled workers were awarded benefits in 2010.  The most commong impairments were diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues (32.5%), followed by mental disorders (21.4%), circulatory problems (10.2% and disease of the nervous system and sense organs (8.2%).   Of those awarded benefits as a result of disabling mental disorders, over 50% were found disabled due to mood disorders. 

Source:  SSA Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2010

 If you have or are considering filing a claim for social security disability and/or supplemental security income, please do not hesitate to contact us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation.  Or visit our website at www.ocalaw.com

Tips on Treatment:  There are many things those suffering from diabetes can do to help their condition.  Diet is obvious, but careful monitoring of blood sugar is also crucial.  Many experts recommend 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week, along with strength  training. * You can click on this link and create a “google alert” which will then result in emails being sent to you when the word “diabetes” is mentioned in the news on the internet.   

*  http://www.google.com/support/alerts/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=28413&topic=28416

New long acting insulin is possible.  Certain types of patients can take insulin only one time per day. *Talk to your doctor about changes in medications.  Many people stay on the same medications even when there are newer and better medications available.  Sadly, Avandia has been linked to cardiovascular risks and Actos, a similar medication used to treat diabetes may increase the risk of bladder *

 Watch for future medications.  A new class of medications not yet approved by the FDA does not affect insulin, but, instead actually blocks the body from reabsurbing glucose from urine.

* http://diabetes.webmd.com/features/new-treatments)

If you have any questions regarding a social security disability claim, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation at 352-629-0480 or visit our website at www.ocalaw.com

The Social Security Administration recently provided us with a press release and notes that beginning in April, many people applying for Social Security disability benefits will be able to sign and submit the Authorization to Disclose Information to Social Security (Form SSA-827) form electronically, as the last part of the online process.Social Security requests more than 15 million medical records each year on behalf of people applying for disability benefits. A signed SSA-827 accompanies each request. By accepting electronically signed forms, medical providers will help their patients’ claims go through faster. On average, this should reduce disability application processing time by nine days per claim.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable laws permit the use of electronic signatures, and Social Security is encouraging medical providers to treat the new electronic signature the same as they would a “wet” signature on the SSA-827.

Learn more about applying for disability benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability

If you have any questions about a social security disability or supplemental security income claim, please feel free to contact us at 352-629-0480 or visit our website at www.ocalaw.com

The offices of disability adjudication and review (ODAR) is instituting a new policy.  The new policy will be to keep the identity of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) assigned to each claimant’s case from the claimant and the representative (if any) until the time of the actual hearing.

It would seem that the rationale for the policy is to keep advocates from forum shopping to avoid particular ALJ’s.  Apparently some attorneys/representatives will not take cases if they are being heard by certain judges.  We strongly disagree with this practice as it is unfair to claimants who need representation.

Unfortunately, this new policy will impair our ability to prepare for hearings.  Each ALJ conducts his or her hearing differently.  For example, some ALJ’s require a written pre-hearing statement, some may require an oral argument, some may do all of the questioning while others require the representative to conduct the questioning.  We fear that this may negatively impact our clients.   The National Organization of Social Security Representatives (of which we are members) is protesting the implementation of this policy. 

If you have any questions regarding a social security disability or supplemental security income matter, please feel free to contact us for a free consultation at 352-629-0480 or visit our website at www.ocalaw.com

The Social Security Administration has announced that there will be a 3.6% cost of living adjustment for Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income recipients for 2012.  This is the first increase since 2009.  The average monthly benefits for 2012 for disabled workers will be $1,111 (up from $1072 in 2011).  The user fee for attorneys fees that are witheld by the government will increase from $83 to $86.

If you have questions regarding a social security disability or supplemental security income claim, please do not hesitate to contact us 352-629-0480 or visit our website at www.ocalaw.com  At Sims & Stakenborg - we go to work when you can’t!! 

These complications may include:

Strokes; Eye disease; Heart attacks; Kidney disease; Diseases  of the nervous system; Hearing loss; Depression and anxiety; and even amputation (60% of limb amputations involve diabetics)**

If you have diabetes and have experienced any of these complications, please make sure to consult your physician.  If your diabetes is preventing you from being able to work, you may wish to consider filing a claim for social security disability benefits.  If you have any questions about filing a claim, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation at 352-629-0480.  At sims & Stakenborg, we go to work when you can’t!

 * http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002194/

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/?utm_source=WWW&utm_medium=DropDownLWD&utm_content=Complications&utm_campaign=CON

**  http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/?utm_source=WWW&utm_medium=DropDownDB&utm_content=Statistics&utm_campaign=CON

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information for 2012

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012.

The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2012. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2011.

For additional information regarding this increase, please go to  http://www.ssa.gov/cola/

If you have questions about a social security disability or supplemental security income claim, please do not hesitate to contact us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation .

New Compassionate Allowances Conditions

Malignant Multiple Sclerosis
Paraneoplastic Pemphigus
Multicentric Castleman Disease
Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma
Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Primary Effusion Lymphoma
Angelman Syndrome
Lewy Body Dementia
Lowe Syndrome
Corticobasal Degeneration
Multiple System Atrophy
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
The ALS/Parkinsonism Dementia ComplexA compassionate allowance may be granted to individuals seeking disability benefits and who have been diagnosed with any of the above conditions.  To review this press release in its entirety please click on http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/ss-expands-compassionate-allowances.html

If you have any questions regarding a Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income claim, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation at 352-629-0480 or visit our website at www.ocalaw.com

Did you know that diabetes causes a variety of symptoms?  If you  have these symptoms, it could be an indication of diabetes and it would be a good idea to discuss this with your doctor.

Symptoms of diabetes:

Excessive thirst, often at nighttime*

Blurred Vision*

Frequent Hunger and urination*

Loss of Weight*

Up to 1/3 of diabetes sufferers also have skin conditions which may include fungal infections, bacterial infections, itching and blisters**

*http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002194/** http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/skin-complications.html?utm_source=WWW&utm_medium=DropDownLWD&utm_content=SkinLWD&utm_campaign=CONIf you have any questions about diabetes, be sure to consult your physician.  If your condition is causing you to be unable to work, please feel free to contact us for a free consultation at 352-629-0480.  At Sims & Stakenborg, we go to work when you can’t!

Licensing Board

Chiropractor:

National Organizations 

·  National Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]

State Licensing Boards

·  Alabama State Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Alaska Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Arkansas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]]·  Chiropractic Board of California [9/28/11]·  Connecticut State Board of Chiropractic Examiners[9/28/11]·  Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine [9/28/11]·  Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Hawaii Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Indiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Iowa Board of Chiropractic [9/28/11]·  Louisiana State Board of Chiropractic Examiners[9/28/11·  Maine Board of Chiropractic Licensure [9/28/11]·  Maryland Board of Chiropractic & Massage Therapy Examiners [9/28/11]·  Massachusetts Board of Registration of Chiropractors [9/28/11]·  Michigan Board of Chiropractic [9/28/11]·  Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services[9/28/11]·  Chiropractic Physicians Board of Nevada [9/28/11]·  New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  New York State Board for Chiropractic [9/28/11]·  North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners[9/28/11]·  Ohio State Chiropractic Board [9/28/11]·  Oklahoma Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Pennsylvania State Board of Chiropractic [9/28/11]·  South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners[9/28/11]·  South Dakota Board of Chiropractic Examiners [2/2/09]·  Tennessee Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]·  Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners [9/28/11]

·  Utah Chiropractic Physicians Licensing Board [9/28/11]

·  Vermont Board of Chiropractic [9/28/11]·  Virginia Board of Medicine [9/28/11]·  West Virginia Board of Chiropractic [9/28/11]

Dental

National Organizations

 American Association of Dental Boards [9/28/11]

State Dental Licensing Boards

• Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama [9/28/11]
  Alaska Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Dental Board of California [9/28/11]
• Connecticut Department of Health [9/28/11]
• Delaware State Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• District of Columbia Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Florida Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Georgia Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Hawaii State Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Idaho State Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Illinois State Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Indiana State Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Iowa Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Kansas Dental Board [9/28/11]
• Kentucky Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Louisiana State Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Maine Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Massachusetts Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Minnesota Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Montana Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Nebraska Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• New Jersey State Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• New York State Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• North Dakota State Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Ohio State Dental Board [9/28/11]
• Oklahoma Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Oregon Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• South Carolina Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• South Dakota State Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Tennessee Board of Dentistry [9/28/11]
• Texas Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Utah Board of Dentists and Dental Hygienists
• Vermont Board of Dental Examiners [9/28/11]
• Wisconsin Dental Examining Board [9/28/11]

 Medical and Osteopathic State Medical and Osteopathic Boards

• Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners  [9/28/11]
• Alaska State Medical Board [9/28/11]
• Arizona Medical Board [9/28/11]
• Arkansas State Medical Board [9/28/11]
• Medical Board of California [9/28/11]
• Connecticut Medical Examining Board [9/28/11]
• District of Columbia Board of Medicine [9/28/11]
• Florida Board of Medicine [9/28/11]
• Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners [9/28/11]
• Hawaii Board of Medical Examiners [9/28/11]
• Idaho State Board of Medicine [9/28/11]
• Illinois Department of Professional Regulation [9/28/11]
• Medical Licensing Board of Indiana [9/28/11]
• Iowa State Board of Medical Examiners [9/28/11]
• Kansas Board of Healing Arts [9/28/11]
• Kansas Board of Healing Arts [9/28/11]
• Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners [9/28/11]
• Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine [9/28/11]
• Maryland Board of Physician Quality Assurance [9/28/11]
• Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine [9/28/11]
• Michigan Board of Medicine [9/28/11]
• Minnesota Board of Medical Practice [9/28/11]
• Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure [9/28/11]
• Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts [9/28/11]
• Montana Board of Medical Examiners [9/28/11]
• Nebraska Board of Medicine and Surgery [9/28/11]
• Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners [9/28/11]
• New Hampshire Board of Medicine [9/28/11]
• New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners [9/28/11]
• New Mexico Medical Board [9/28/11]
• New York State Board for Professional Medical Conduct [9/28/11]
• North Carolina Medical Board [9/28/11]
• North Dakota State Board of Medical Examiners [9/28/11]
• State Medical Board of Ohio [9/28/11]
• Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision [9/28/11]
• Oregon Board of Medical Examiners [9/28/11]
• Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine [9/28/11]
• South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners  [9/28/11]
• Texas State Board of Medical Examiners [9/28/11]
• Utah Department of Commerce [9/28/11]
• Vermont Board of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons [9/28/11]
• Virginia Board of Medicine [9/28/11]
• Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission [9/28/11]
• West Virginia Board of Osteopathy [9/28/11]
• Wyoming Board of Medicine [9/28/11]

 Funeral Service  [9/28/11] Nursing [9/28/11] Optometry [9/28/11] Pharmacy [9/28/11] Social Work [9/28/11] Veterinary Medicine [9/28/11]