Complications due to diabetes are very frequent ranging from heart disease, eye problems, increased chances for strokes, painful diabetic neuropathy, kidney failure, poor circulation and infections.
Diabetes increases the risk for developing coronary artery disease causing chest pain as well as blocking arteries to the brain, kidneys and feet. Strokes are more common in diabetics. If arteries to the kidneys are involved one may develop kidney failure. Nerve damage involving the feet can cause extreme pain known as peripheral diabetic neuropathy resulting in difficulty walking. Also, poor blood supply and nerve damage to the feet can result in infections with poor healing which may require amputations. Diabetic retinopathy can potentially result in blindness or other problems with your vision. Skin infections are also more common in diabetics. Nerves to the bowel can be affected causing difficulties with digestion leading to vomiting, nausea and loss of weight.
It is clear that diabetes can cause many problems affecting one’s ability to perform ordinary daily activities as well as demands of carrying out your job duties. If one or a combination of problems interferes with your ability to do your tasks at work, then you should strongly consider applying for social security disability. The first and most important decision you should make is to seek an attorney who limits his work strictly to social security disability cases. He understands the various complicated rules that social security uses in making a decision as to whether you should be approved or denied benefits. In general, social security uses a grid as part of their decision making process which considers your age, level of education and past job history. In addition, after they review your entire medical record, they fill out a form called an RFC which states how many pounds you can lift, how long you can walk in a day and how well you can use your hands. If you are a younger individual such as under 50 years of age, it is more difficult to get benefits unless your ability to walk or use your hands is very severly affected. In contrast, those over 50 can more easily get disability, but again depending on their past occupations and level of education.