Kufs Disease is a rare and severely debilitating condition that affects the nervous system. Those who develop the condition (usually in their thirties) usually find themselves unable to work due to the symptoms that the condition presents. While this inability to work can place significant financial burden on an individual or a family, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help. While many of the individuals who apply for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration may wait years before benefits can begin, the SSA has acknowledged that some applicants warrant faster processing times due to the severity of their conditions. As a result, the SSA has implemented the Compassionate Allowances program. Under this program, applicants with certain conditions can qualify for benefits in a matter of weeks rather than having to wait months or years. One of the conditions that has been included in the Compassionate Allowances listings is Kufs Disease Type A and B. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this condition, the following information will help you understand how you may receive expedited benefits under the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Kufs Disease Type A and B - Condition and Symptoms
Kufs Disease, one of the diseases categorized as a neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses disorder, is a rare disease that primarily affects an individual’s nervous system. Symptoms usually begin to appear around 30 years of age, but have been noted in younger individuals and in adolescence as well. The condition causes progressive deterioration of movement and cognition.
There are two types of Kufs disease that have been categorized as Kufs Disease Type A and Kufs Disease Type B. While the two forms of the disease are different, they do have overlapping symptoms. Those who suffer from Type A of the disease will experience a combination of seizures and uncontrolled muscle movement, dementia, ataxia, tremors and speech impairment. Those who are diagnosed with Type B of the disease will suffer from dementia, ataxia and extrapyramidal dysfunction as well as personality changes.
In most cases the cause of Kufs disease is unknown. In some cases, however, the disease has been linked to a mutation in the PPT1 gene. This gene is responsible for making a protein called palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1. In people who have Kufs disease, the mutated gene results in the body’s inability to break down long-chain fatty acids, resulting in a build-up of these acids in the body.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Kufs Disease Type A and B
This year alone the SSA will receive millions of claims for Social Security Disability benefits. Of the millions of claims received, nearly 70 percent are denied each year. This results in a hefty backlog of disability appeals in the Social Security system. Those who find themselves in the land of appeals often wait years before having their case heard by an administrative law judge. Fortunately, if you are applying for disability benefits due to a case of Kufs disease, the chances of this happening to you are very slim.
With that being said, it is very important that you fill out your disability claim forms properly if you hope to avoid a situation such as the one described above. If your claim forms are not filled out properly or if you do not have sufficient medical evidence to support your case, the SSA might not process your claim according to the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances guidelines. Because of this, you must make sure that you answer all of the questions on the form in detail. The more detail that you can provide, the more likely it is that the person reviewing your file will understand how your condition qualifies under the Compassionate Allowances program.
Kufs Disease Type A and B and Your Social Security Disability Case
If you are applying for Social Security Disability benefits due to a case of Type A or Type B Kufs Disease, you may want to consider retaining the services of a disability attorney. Applying for disability benefits can be a confusing process and the paperwork involved can be complex to navigate through. As stated earlier, you must fill this paperwork out properly in order for your claim to be approved under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines and an attorney can ensure that your claim is properly submitted with sufficient medical evidence.
With the help of a disability lawyer, you can increase your chances of receiving benefits in a matter of weeks rather than having to wait months or years before an approval of your claim is granted. Your lawyer will work with you each step of the way and if you do need to appeal a denial, your attorney will ensure that your appeal is given priority status under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
