Tabes Dorsalis 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? Tabes dorsalis is a disabling condition on the Compassionate Allowance List, which qualifies an individual for an expedited approval process.
What is Tabes Dorsalis?
Tabes dorsalis, also known as syphilitic myelopathy, is the product of an untreated syphilis infection. It is the slow degeneration of sensory neurons and nerve fibers that transmit information and electrochemical impulses from the brain to other areas of the body. As the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers deteriorates, the fibers lose their ability to transmit this crucial information effectively. The affected nerves are those in the dorsal columns of the spinal cord, which help a person determine where his or her body is in space. Tabes dorsalis can remain dormant for years after the initial infection of syphilis. Intravenous penicillin is the standard treatment for this disease; it will cure the infection and slow the condition’s progression, but will not reverse nerve damage. If left untreated, tabes dorsalis can be devastating.
Tabes Dorsalis Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of tabes dorsalis include:
- Muscle weakness
- Diminished reflexes
- Unsteady gait (specifically, a high-stepping gait where the feet slap the ground)
- Joint degeneration
- Loss of coordination
- Episodic, intense pain
- Personality changes
- Dementia
- Deafness
- Visual impairment
- Impaired response to light
- Urinary incontinence
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 Tabes Dorsalis
Tabes dorsalis qualifies you for social security disability benefits under the Social Security Administration’s guidelines. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with tabes dorsalis, 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 tabes dorsalis, 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.
