Follansbee
Neurological Disorder Lawyer

On This Page

1. How Berger and Green Handles Neurological Disorder Cases
2. The Social Security Disability Criteria for Neurological Disorders
3. How Long the Application Process Takes for Neurological Conditions
4. Get a Free Consultation for Your Neurological Condition Case

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

November 11, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Receiving a neurological disorder diagnosis brings up so many questions about your future. One central question is how you will support your family if you can no longer work. However, our Follansbee neurological disorder lawyers can help you answer that: you could qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. We can provide a free consultation on your case, determine your eligibility, clarify the benefits you could receive, and file the paperwork for you. 

We don’t stop there—if the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies your claim, we can represent you through the appeals process. Our Follansbee Social Security Disability attorneys are prepared for every step, from reconsideration to a hearing. 

How Berger and Green Handles Neurological Disorder Cases

Berger and Green has over 40 years of experience dealing with the SSA, familiarizing us with SSD benefits in general and neurological disorder cases in particular. 

When handling your case, we provide help by: 

• Explaining your SSD benefits, the application process, and your eligibility.
• Putting the SSD application process in the context of your type of neurological disorder case.
• Offering encouragement and advice throughout the process, ensuring you can contact us anytime. 
• Keeping track so you don’t have to juggle deadlines for applications, appeals, or other paperwork. 
• Reviewing the SSA’s denial letter and obtaining additional evidence to present at reconsideration or the other appeal stages. 
• Fighting to recover back pay and retroactive pay if they apply in your case. 

We Can Help You Get Started Right Away

Some of the SSA’s guidelines make it sound like you must wait a specific period before starting the application process. However, both our firm and the SSA encourage you to apply as soon as possible—even immediately after receiving your diagnosis if you are unable to work. 

Applying, waiting for a decision, and appealing if you receive a denial can take months. Meanwhile, many neurological conditions cause progressive deterioration, like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. You may have a neurological disorder that you were diagnosed with many years ago, but find yourself unable to work any longer. Whatever your condition, you likely know it will affect your ability to work long-term, so there’s no reason to wait.

If you aren’t sure, our lawyers can explain when the SSA considers you disabled, and you are eligible for benefits. We will demystify the process, breaking it down into achievable pieces. 

We Understand the Toll of a Neurological Disorder

Whether you have cerebral palsy or a traumatic brain injury, our lawyers recognize how difficult these conditions make your everyday life. That includes working to obtain benefits. While the process can make it feel like no one cares about how you feel—just how you look on paper—Berger and Green does care. With us, you can share your experiences, ask for help and accommodations, and count on us to handle your claim. 

The Social Security Disability Criteria for Neurological Disorders

The SSA offers a listing of impairments (called the Blue Book) that includes what it considers disabling. For neurological disorders, that includes conditions like:

• Parkinson’s syndrome
• Cerebral palsy
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Muscular dystrophy

Brain and spinal cord injuries and disorders—like a traumatic brain injury, benign tumor, or coma—might also qualify. 

The Blue Book does Not Include Every Qualifying Neurological Disorder

The Blue Book can’t include every neurological condition that could prove disabling. Therefore, the SSA allows you to apply even if you don’t have a listed condition. Instead, it uses other criteria to determine if you are disabled, such as your ability to perform certain types of work and whether your skills and experience transfer to other jobs. Even your age is a factor in obtaining SSD benefits. 

Our neurological disorder lawyers can assist with understanding this aspect of your Follansbee case. Don’t wait because you are unsure of your eligibility—this process is lengthy, so you want to start as soon as possible. 

Types of Benefits Available If You Qualify

Social Security Disability is an umbrella term for two benefit programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Our SSD attorneys can help you apply for either (or both). 

SSDI provides benefits based on your work background. Did you work enough to accumulate sufficient work credits by contributing to Social Security along the way? If so, you can receive SSDI benefits after a neurological disorder diagnosis. 

SSI provides benefits based on your income. The SSA counts the money you earn and your assets in determining eligibility. If you are below a specific income limit, you could receive SSI benefits after a neurological disorder diagnosis. We can explain what forms of income and assets count. 

How Long the Application Process Takes for Neurological Conditions

Each application is different. Besides the time it takes for the SSA to decide on your application, SSDI and SSI benefits have different waiting periods before your benefits kick in. Some exceptions exist, especially for neurological disorders. For instance, an ALS diagnosis could qualify you to receive SSDI benefits faster—often without a waiting period.

Unfortunately, there is no precise timeline for how long it takes to start recovering Social Security benefits. Your application could take months; if the SSA denies your claim, an appeal could take longer. 

We Can Manage Your Appeal

If the SSA denied your claim, don’t face this long and arduous process alone. Instead, our neurological disorder attorneys can get right to work on your appeal, working with you through all the steps:

• Reconsideration
• Administrative Law Judge hearing
• Appeals Council review
• Federal district court lawsuit

We can assemble evidence to argue for your benefits, file necessary appeals, and prepare you for a hearing. We will fight vigorously for the benefits you need and deserve to maintain your financial well-being.

Get a Free Consultation for Your Neurological Condition Case

Berger and Green not only offers free consultations, but we also don’t charge anything while we work on your case. In addition, we only get paid if we secure your benefits. 

Our neurological disorder lawyers can start working on your Follansbee case now, so contact us today.