Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) and Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability Lawyer
Typically, applying for and receiving social security disability benefits can take many months. But what if your disabling condition is so severe that you cannot wait? Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a disabling condition on the Compassionate Allowance List, which qualifies an individual for an expedited approval process.
What is PPA?
PPA is a neurodegenerative condition caused by frontotemporal and parietal lobe degeneration. These are the parts of the brain that control speech and language. PPA begins gradually with varied symptoms such as difficulty producing speech, problems naming objects, trouble with comprehension, and difficulties finding words, and steadily progresses, eventually robbing the individual of any meaningful speech and language capabilities. There are three distinct variants of PPA: progressive non-fluent aphasia, semantic dementia, and the logopenic variant. These individual variants are characterized and diagnosed based on the nature of the symptoms present in the affected individual. There are no known environmental risk factors for PPA, and it is not in most cases considered a hereditary condition; there is no standard treatment. In many cases, affected individuals can continue living independently and caring for themselves for long after the onset of symptoms.
PPA Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of PPA include:
- Frequent, word-finding pauses in speech
- Trouble identifying objects by name
- Problems comprehending written and spoken language
- Misuse of word endings, verb tenses, conjunctions, and pronouns
- Inability to comprehend word meanings
- Prominent spelling errors
- Total loss of ability to speak
If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to talk with a doctor immediately.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits and PPA
PPA qualifies you for social security disability benefits under the Social Security Administration’s guidelines. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with PPA, then you are considered disabled for at least 24 months from the date of diagnosis.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with PPA, contact an experienced social security disability lawyer today. Please call us at 1-800-882-5500 or fill out a free consultation form for a free evaluation of your social security disability case.
