No matter how you apply or which program youre applying for, you will need to have a lot of information readily available, including: Your medical documentation is essential to proving your disability whether you qualify under a disability listing or through an RFC. Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition where the cornea pushes outward into a cone shape. Our experienced specialists diagnose keratoconus using AI-powered technology. The issue could become more disabling in the future. Signs That You Will Be Approved For Disability, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), How to Apply for Social Security Disability. If you won't qualify for disability under poor visual acuity alone, you'll also need to get peripheral vision tested. Can Veterans Get Denied Disability Benefits? I was diagnosed with keratoconus of one eye while in service and it is documented as service-connected. You'll be asked to read letters from a chart at a certain distance away (a "Snellen" chart). About half of people who go to an appeal hearing win their claims, and applicants who go to a hearing represented by a lawyer have a higher approval rate than applicants who represent themselves. Current treatment for keratoconus includes glasses in the earliest stages to treat nearsightedness and astigmatism. Many keratoconus patients are unaware they have the disease. In some cases, keratoconus is diagnosed at a later age, but usually only when it is mild. This normally takes three to four months, but could take longer. They are independent attorneys or advocates who pay a fee to be listed on the website and have their names provided, on request, to website users. Many people with keratoconus have a history of nearsightedness as well. Rephrase the question: I was diagnosed with apnea in service and received a CPAP machine, but the claim was denied in 2008. The cornea progressively changes its shape and becomes more and more conical. For the details, see our article on getting disability for peripheral vision problems. Generally, young patients with advanced keratoconus are more likely to need some form of surgical intervention as the disease progresses. Does applicant expect to be out of work for at least 12 months? There is no way to predict how quickly the disease will progress, or if it will progress at all. 850 Health Sciences Rd Here, a claims examiner will request and review your medical records and review them. Blurred vision. Archived post. A computerized image is taken that creates a map of the curve of the cornea. Under SSDI rules, legal blindness is determined by revealing . Private fees for treatment are R25000 for both eyes , R12 500 for one eye. With treatment, your eyesight can usually be corrected, giving you clear vision. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for keratoconus, for the period prior to April 22, 2009, are not met. How Can An Attorney Help Your Vision Loss Claim? Corneal collagen cross-linking is a procedure designed to stop the progression of keratoconus or slow it down. This examination of the cornea can help detect abnormalities in the outer and middle layers of the cornea. They use the listing in the Blue Book to compare with your medical records to determine eligibility for benefits. Published by former disability examiner Tim Moore, SSDRC helps to understand how to file a successful disability claim. Since this disease is slow in progression, could it be conceivably caused by a head injury when I had an accident involving a fork truck that went off of a 6-feet high loading dock backwards? ~Abraham Lincoln To qualify for disability benefits, your vision loss or blindness must meet one of the following listings: If you are blind and receive disability and you are older than 55, the determination rules that are used by the SSA arent the same ones that are used for those who arent blind. My initial vision was determined to be 20 / 1250 in the right eye and 20 / 850 in the left eye. For instance: These are called blind work expenses (BWE), a type of impairment-related work expense. This requires you to show that there are really no jobs you can do safely because of your vision loss, taking into account your prior job experience, your age, and your education. give your details so they can complete part 1 of the application for you over the phone. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. In essence, your earnings record will be "frozen" before your disability began, which is why this is called a "disability freeze." Others may be able to self-accommodate if given flexibility to adjust the lighting near their workstation. Job Accommodation Network (JAN) the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Keratoconus occurs when the small fibers of protein in the eye called collagen become weak and can't hold the cornea in shape. Vision Loss Can Qualify for Disability. If you have little education or skills that you could transfer to another job, it's possible that Social Security might find that there is no work you could be expected to do. In fact, the SSA must review information about your education, job training, and employment history as well as your financial circumstances. In our eye cornea acts like a lens and focuses light on the retina. A decrease in average earnings or total loss of income from work after vision loss is common too, with workers often being unable to continue employment in their traditional field. Your previous content has been restored. This means blind workers may wait months or years for a guide animal unless theyre able to afford to pay for training their own. During an RFC, the SSA also looks at your age, job skills, and education level. If the keratoconus progresses, surgical thera Synergeyes is a type of hybrid contact lens that can be used in keratoconus. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Type 2 Diabetes and Filing for Disability, How to get disability with Plantar Fasciitis, How to file for disability in Massachusetts. Slit-lamp exam. To apply by phone and paper: phone Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) to start an application. Upload or insert images from URL. Check it out here. Be sure to look out for thesigns that you will be denied for disability. So, even if you don't meet one of Social Security's listings, you might still be found disabled under Social Security's other rules. Chronic eye inflammation. Veteran Compensation Benefits. For example, to meet the criteria for being legally blind, your vision cant be corrected to better than 20/200 in your better eye or if your visual field is 20 degrees or less in your better eye for a period that lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months. There is no cure for keratoconus. SynergEyes GP II Bitoric lenses - $325. The first would be to see if the medical evidence supports an approval via satisyfing a listing, i.e. Question A. I was previously denied for apnea Should I refile a claim? People born blind usually learn to live and thrive in a world dominated by sighted individuals, but they still experience ongoing adaptive living expenses as working adults. If there is also pain and sensitivity to light, the minimum rating for this condition is 10%. Can eye rubbing cause Keratoconus? Eye rubbing has been associated with keratoconus getting worse. An injury to the eye that occurs in service and causes damage to the eye is compensable provided it causes permanent or chronic damage, even if it is only a scar. In order to qualify for disability with an eye problem, you will need to meet the criteria set by the SSA with that condition. Keratoconus itself is not a disability. Symptoms. For more information, please see our Social Security might request this type of testing if, for instance, your eyes show no abnormalities during an examination and you have no history of neurological damage, yet you scored 20/200 on your Snellen chart test. Age. is_redirect && ! Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. 6035 Keratoconus. VA only rates using the VASRD (Veterans Affairs Schedule Rating Disabilities) So this means your eye disability will be rating using the (VARS system) to be rated using the Visual Acuity Rating System. As part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), JAN represents the most comprehensive job accommodation resource available. This means that you worked long enough - and recently enough - and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. Keratoconus, sometimes abbreviated as KC, is an eye condition in which the shape of the eye changes causing blurry, cloudy, or distorted vision as well as sensitivity to light and problems with glare. Social Security grants immediate SSI benefits to those with severe disabilities who are likely to be found eligible for benefits. On average, it takes three to five months to process an application for disability benefits. You could be eligible for up to $3,345 per month In SSDI Benefits, Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. Donations to Hadit.com are tax-deductible. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. To get past this step, you have to have an impairment that interferes with basic work-related activities. How to apply for short-term disability Short-term disability is usually part of a group plan, which is provided through your employer. Social Security's "blue book" of impairment listings states the requirements to be automatically approved for disability benefits for vision loss. Helping other Veterans and watching my grand-monsters grow up! http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/originalvasrd1.html#c6035. Loss of central visual acuity (2.02) this listing covers loss in your central field of vision and requires you see no better than 20/200 in your better eye. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a set earnings amount that is called substantial gainful activity (SGA). The Blue Book is accessible online for you and your doctor to consult. If your income declined as your vision deteriorated, you can exclude the most recent quarters of earnings from your Social Security record. I would definitely accept such a case. I did sustain broken fingers, but could the fact that I hit my head during the fall cause, or potentially cause keratoconus? By submitting a request for a free evaluation, I acknowledge that I understand and agree to the disclaimer and privacy policy. Copyright 2022 Social Security Disability Resource Center - All rights reserved. If you are interested, Dr. Brian can provide a complimentary record review prior to you scheduling an appointment at the institute . To file for a tax extension with the IRS, you can follow these steps: Obtain IRS Form 4868: You can get a copy . The normally round cornea becomes thinned, distorted and irregular. Talk to your Eye Dr if further questions. But if you're over 55, Social Security might not expect you to learn to do some other type of work, if, in addition to vision problems, you have physical limitations that prevent you from doing heavy or medium work. The cornea is the clear, outer layer at the front of your eye. Keratoconus is an eye disease that affects the structure of the cornea, resulting in loss of vision. Constant inflammation from allergies or irritants can contribute to the destruction of corneal tissue that may result in developing keratoconus. You just need to keep track of your earnings, and maintain thorough records and receipts, so you can properly deduct any work-related expenses if you are self-employed. That means that after you have completed your trial work period, you can earn as much as the SGA and not lose your monthly disability benefits. Memory Loss, Confusion, Alzheimer's, Dementia, Depression, ADHD. avoid working in locations with dim lighting, avoid working around dangerous moving machinery, and, a diagnosis of keratoconus by an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specializes in eye and vision problems), imaging results such as a topography that measures the curve of the cornea, perimetry (visual field) testing to check your peripheral vision, doctor's notes reflecting the frequency and severity of your symptoms, and. Financial Assistance For Disabled Family Members, Coping With Cervical Cancer and What Benefits Are Available. However, accommodations as an employee are still within your rights as an individual with KC. The SSA maintains standard listings that outline what constitutes disability with various health conditions. Central visual acuity is how clearly you can see straight ahead. How does one treat slight keratoconus with intacs? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. A need for frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions. Keratoconus is a progressive disease which means that not all share the same issues at the same times or may be qualified for disability. This can result in significant vision impairment. If you do not plan to stop working, this site cannot assist you because you will not qualify for the program. Progressive keratoconus can be treated by corneal collagen cross-linking. This is called keratoconus. If you suffer from total blindness (that is, no light perception in both eyes), you may qualify for six months of "presumptive blindness" benefits while you're waiting for Social Security to make a decision on your benefits. If you'd like help with your application, consider working with a legal professional. Yes, I've had it from mere glare from an oncoming automobile, sunlights, and indoor lighting. What makes keratoconus get better and worse? Keratoconus is an eye disease that affects the structure of the cornea, resulting in loss of vision. If your vision loss doesn't meet one of Social Security's listings, you still might be able to get disability benefits based on a "medical-vocational allowance." Keratoconus is an inherited eye condition that affects the cornea. Initial symptoms can be slight blurring or distortion of vision even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. While your vision may not meet a disability listing now, the SSA can see from your diagnosis that your vision will continue to worsen, eventually reaching the severity level noted in the Blue Book. As a person with severe vision loss that doesnt meet a Blue Book listing, youre more likely to be approved through an RFC analysis under certain circumstances: Qualifying through an RFC means youre granted a medical vocational allowance. 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