Archive for Disability Law Ledger
DB Disability Law Ledger™ – June 2011
Crohn’s Disease, A Disabling Medical Condition
In our practice, we have seen many clients suffering from Crohn’s disease. For some, Crohn’s Disease can be quite debilitating and can interfere with daily living including holding down a steady job. Unfortunately, Crohn’s Disease is yet another condition that disability insurance carriers often try to disprove because the precise [...]
DB Disability Law Ledger™ – May 2011
Being Approved For Disability Benefits Is Not The End of the Process: Continuing Proof of Disability Claims
Most clients do not realize it, but filing a disability claim and having it approved by the insurance company is not the end of the process. Often, that is only the beginning. In fact, during the first [...]
DB Disability Law Ledger™ – January/February 2011
Bi-Polar Disorder & How It Can Become A Disability
In our disability practice, we have helped many clients diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder. However, between the time of their first Bi-Polar episodes and their initial diagnoses, their lives can unravel. Many begin with episodes in childhood or adolescence, and go undiagnosed for years, leaving them to sort [...]
DB Disability Law Ledger™ – November-December 2010
FERS: Going From Retirement To Disability Retirement
At DeHaan Busse, we’ve had several retired federal employees contact us about changing their retirement status to disability retirement. While this is possible, there are criteria you must meet and steps you must follow in order to receive disability benefits from the federal government.
First, remember that you have exactly [...]
DB Disability Law Ledger™ – September/October 2010
VA MAKES THINGS EASIER FOR VETERANS WITH PTSD CLAIMS
On July 12, 2010, Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs, announced the publication of a final regulation in the Federal Register pertaining to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The intention is to facilitate the process for veterans with PTSD claims who are seeking health [...]
DB Disability Law Ledger™ – July/August 2010
Congressmen Dissatisfied With VA’s Explanation Of TBI Funds
Congressman Richard Burr (R-NC), ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Congressman Brad Miller (D-NC) are assessing the VA’s response to the accusation that none of the $6.3 million originally set aside for traumatic brain injury (TBI) research and clinical services has been used for that [...]
DB Disability Law Ledger™ – May, June 2010
Individual Disability: Choose Your Policy Wisely
A few years ago, one of our clients,* a dentist with his own practice, came to us after his insurance company denied his disability claim. The insurance company informed him that, under the terms of his individual disability policy, he was not covered.
Background . . .
Our client was injured in [...]
DB Disability Law Ledger™ – April 2010
Federal Employees – Don’t Handle Reconsiderations On Your Own
Despite our best efforts to inform disabled federal employees about filing for disability retirement, many still are unaware of the obstacles they may face when filing on their own. In particular, many federal employees not only continue to submit their applications on their own, but they also [...]
DB Disability Law Ledger™ – March 2010
Disability: A Financial Hardship For Working Americans
According to a report published by The Urban Institute, poverty rates double for Americans when they become disabled. Although a variety of public programs exist including Social Security disability, Workers’ Compensation, Supplemental Security Income and Veterans’ disability, presumably as a safety net, these programs have missed the mark for [...]
DB Disability Law Ledger™ – February 2010
PTSD Diagnostic Test Unveiled
For veterans suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), obtaining disability benefits always has meant overcoming obstacle after obstacle in order to prove they are disabled by this condition. Why? Because until very recently, there were no diagnostic tools available to detect PTSD; no empirical evidence to satisfy the VA. However, researchers at [...]
