Social Security Disability- Stroke

A stroke occurs when an artery to the brain becomes blocked or ruptures, resulting in death of an area of brain tissue (cerebral infarction) and causing sudden symptoms. Most strokes are ischemic, usually due to blockage of an artery, but some are hemorrhagic, due to rupture of an artery. Transient ischemic attacks resemble ischemic strokes except the symptoms resolve within 1 hour.

Symptoms of a stroke occur suddenly and can include muscle weakness, paralysis, abnormal or lost sensation on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, severe headaches, confusion, problems with vision, dizziness, and loss of balance and coordination.

Ask the individual to SMILE.

Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A

SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently), (i.e. It is sunny out today.)

Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

Diagnosis is based on symptoms, but imaging and blood tests are also done. A neurologist I have spoken with say that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

Recovery after a stroke depends on many factors, such the location and amount of damage, the person's age, and the presence of other disorders.

Stroke is found in section 11.04 of the listing of impairments. Section 11 describes Neurological disabilities and section 11.04 describes Central Nervous System Vascular Accident (a stroke). This is what 11.04 says: 11.04 Central nervous system vascular accident. With one of the following more than 3 months post-vascular accident:
A. Sensory or motor aphasia resulting in ineffective speech or communication; or
B. Significant and persistent disorganization of motor function in two extremities, resultin in sustained disturbance of gross and dexterous movements, or gait and station (see 11.00C).

If you apply for disability very soon after the stroke occurred, then it might take longer than normal for your application to be processed. According to section 11.04, more than 3 months must pass before a decision can be made on disability. This is mainly because not all strokes are the same, some are more severe than others. After 3 months, doctors should have a good indication of the recovery time frame, and the ability of the stroke victim to perform simple tasks.

If you or a loved have applied for Social Security Disability you should consult with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney. Allan W. Ben P.C. is a Michigan and Arizona Social Security Disability law firm which can help you or your loved one with their case. We handle cases all over Michigan including Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County and Livingston County. We also handle Social Security cases in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Call are office toll free at 866-540-0677 or by email at mailto:info@allanwbenpc.com