If you’re unable to work due to clinical depression, you may want to consider contacting a Las Vegas Social Security disability attorney. Depression is a listed impairment, but having your claim for SSI approved because of it can prove rather challenging. For instance, you’ll need to present objective medical evidence that shows you suffer from four or more of the following symptoms:
1. Lacking interest in most activities
2. Lack of energy
3. Low appetite or overeating
4. Oversleeping or insomnia
5. Difficulty thinking or concentrating
6. Minimal physical movement
7. Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
8. Delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia
9. Suicidal thoughts
You must also have serious difficulty with social functioning, activities of daily living, focusing, and worsening symptoms. Because depression is one of the affected disorders that can easily be “faked,” claims are far more likely to be denied without the help of a Las Vegas Social Security disability attorney.
The Importance of the ADL Questionnaire
The ADL (Activities of Daily Living) questionnaire plays a crucial role in how your SSI claim for depression is viewed. This form basically requires you to detail your activities from the time you wake up until going to bed, whether or not you’re able to drive, which chores you handle around the house, if you prepare your own food, what you’re interested in, if you can maintain your own personal hygiene, if your condition impacts your ability to sleep, and how it impacts your ability to work.
Working with the help of a Las Vegas Social Security disability attorney can ensure that you fill the form out in a way that improves your chances of a favorable decision without the need to commit fraud.
How Can a Las Vegas Social Security Disability Attorney Help with Depression Claims?
In most cases, your claim will be denied, simply because you are still physically capable of handling simple tasks (such as those required on an assembly line). This can happen even if you have received objective, medical documentation that demonstrates you meet the requirements for receiving SSI because of depression. It’s relatively easy to fool even a veteran doctor into believing you’re suffering from severe depression. All you need to do is tell your doctor that you’re feeling suicidal, tired all the time, unable to eat, and feeling that you’re worthless.
If, however, your depression is listed alongside additional impairments, either physical or mental, it’s far more likely that your claim will be approved. While your doctor may not feel it necessary to have additional tests performed, your lawyer may, and this is how a Las Vegas Social Security disability attorney can help your case.
What Happens if Your SSI Claim for Depression is Denied?
It all depends on how your claim was originally filed. If the only listed disorder was severe depression, then you’re going to have a hard time convincing the Social Security office to accept an appeal. If you’ve been handling your claim on your own up to this point, it’s a good idea to contact a Social Security disability attorney before proceeding any further.
