Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a motor system disorder that affects a person’s movement, particularly involving his or her legs, arms, hands and fingers (often referred to as gait and station). From tremors to speech changes to dementia, this degenerative disease can get progressively worse over time.

For your doctor to properly diagnose Parkinson’s, you must be candid and honest about your condition when it comes to balance, walking, grip strength and tremors. Concealing any symptoms or limitations from your doctor only weakens your application for SSD or SSI benefits.

When applying for benefits, the Social Security Administration’s administrative law judges must have access to recent medical records.

They will take your testimony under consideration, but access to recent medical records provides objective evidence that includes: A specific diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, neurologic imaging test results that confirms Parkinson’s, and documentation by your physician on the nature and frequency of your symptoms, and your doctor’s clinical findings of neurological abnormalities.

In telling a complete “story” about Parkinson’s and its impact on your life, you will want to provide an account of your daily activities and the challenges you face with Parkinson’s, along with any medication side effects and any symptoms of depression or anxiety that often accompany the disease.

You do not have to travel to our office to start the process of filing an SSD or SSI claim. To meet with our attorney in person or over the phone, contact us online or call at Jenkintown 215-385-5353 or Philadelphia 215-323-5320 to arrange a free initial consultation with our lawyer about SSD/SSI eligibility.