Pannell & Christensen

Attorneys at Law

540 Powder Springs Street, A-1

Marietta, Georgia 30064

770-438-2394

Help@LupusLaw.Info

 

Our office has had the privilege of working with numerous Lupus clients over the past 25 years.  We will assist you in the evaluation of your claim, and pursuing it before the Social Security Administration.

 

Lupus Erythematosus

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease which can be markedly disabling for an individual. It can interfere with activities of daily living, social relationships, and it can prohibit sustained work at competitive levels. As such, it can entitle an individual to social security disability benefits and medical assistance.

 

 

It is important that a claimant work with an attorney with enough experience in SSA disability law and knowledge of Lupus to be effective. Our office has successfully represented Lupus clients for over 25 years, and can provide the experience you need to win your claim.

 

 

Our Attorneys:

Winnie P. Pannell, Esq.

Ms. Pannell graduated from Emory University School of Law in 1976. Her law practice has focused primarily on representing individuals with social security disability claims. She has done pioneering work in the representation of Lupus claimants before the Social Security Administration. She has devoted a great deal of her time to the Georgia Chapter of the American Lupus Foundation. She is a member of numerous bar associations and organizatons including the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR), and the American Lupus Foundation.

 

Laurence L. Christensen, Esq.

Mr. Christensen graduated from Emory University School of Law in 1976. His law practice is limited to injury and disability law in which he represents individuals with social security disability claims, workers’ compensation claims, and personal injury claims. He has published numerous articles relating to these fields, and has participated in seminar presentations for medical providers, members of the Bar, and other organizations. He is a member of various bar associations and organizations including the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), and the American Lupus Foundation.

 

 

 

We are here to help!

For more information and a free evaluation of your possible social security disability claim, please contact us at Help@LupusLaw.Info or 770-438-2394.

(We can discuss your case with you in our office, or over the telephone.)

 

 

Social Security has specific criteria pertinent to
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

 

 

Social Security has specific "Listings," which are criteria for many body systems and diseases. As an example, Listing 14.02 sets out the criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (revised June 2008). Failure to meet the criteria of a Listing does not result in denial of the claim. The claim may be approved under other rules.

 

The "Listing":

The listing for lupus can be met by showing involvement of two or more organ/ body systems, with at least one system involved to at least a moderate level of severity, and at least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss).. Major organ or body system involvement can include: respiratory (pleuritis, pneumonitis), cardiovascular (endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis), renal (glomerulonephritis), hematologic (anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), skin (photosensitivity), neurologic (seizures), mental (anxiety, fluctuating cognition ("lupus fog"), mood disorders, organic brain syndrome, psychosis), or immune system disorders (inflammatory arthritis). Immunologically, there is an array of circulating serum auto-antibodies and pro-anti-coagulant proteins that may occur in a highly variable pattern."

 

Alternatively, the listing for Lupus can be met by showing repeated manifestations of the disease (flares) with at least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise or involuntary weight loss), and one of the following at the marked level:

 

     1. Limitation of activities of daily living,

     2. Limitation in maintaining social functioning,

     3. Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace.

 

If the medical evidence is not sufficient to show that the claimant's medical condition meets social security's Listing for Lupus, a claim can be won by proving that the claimant's symptoms and limitations prevent the claimant from performing any occupation on a full-time basis, eight hours per day, or an equivalent schedule on a sustained basis.

 

In many cases the constitutional symptoms cause the greatest limitation on the claimant's activity especially fatigue and malaise. These symptoms cannot be objectively measured, and claims in which these symptoms are prominent are especially challenging. Social Security has issued regulations and rulings concerning the evaluation of subjective symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, and pain. These rulings and regulations describe the factors that must be considered in the process of judging the severity of such symptoms, and in the assessment of the statements of the claimant concerning such symptoms.

 

Some of the symptoms of Lupus may be readily observable. For instance joint swelling, skin rashes, and weight loss. Other symptoms will only be known to the physician if the patient informs the doctor that he is experiencing the symptoms: fatigue, malaise, mental impairment. Thus it is important that the patient advise his or her doctor of all of the symptoms that he or she experiences, and continues to report the symptoms to the doctor as long as they persist. Similarly the medical records will not reflect the impact of the disease on the patient's daily activity, and social functioning unless the patient tells the doctor about these matters on a regular basis.

 

It is important that a claimant work with an attorney with enough experience in SSA disability law and knowledge of Lupus to be effective. Our office has successfully represented Lupus clients for over 25 years, and can provide the experience you need to win your claim.

 

For a free initial consultation and evaluation of your claim,contact our office at 770-438-2394.

(We can discuss your case with you in our office, or over the telephone.)

We are proud supporters of the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.

Lupus Foundation - Georgia Chapter