Neurologlical Disorder- Ataxia

Ataxia is a rare neurological symptom that presents as loss of voluntary coordination of muscle movement.  A progressive, degenerative condition of the nervous system, it most commonly occurs due to a deficiency in the nervous system or brain.  Ataxia impacts a person’s ability to talk, walk, and use fine motor skills.  A less severe form of this condition is classified as dystaxia. The most common occurrences of ataxia are attributed to the cerebellum, the portion of the brain responsible for motor control. Different neurological deficits in the cerebellum can lead to more specific diagnoses of truncal ataxia and appendicular ataxia. Symptoms include stumbling or falling; slurred speech; and signs of being uncoordinated. People of all ages can develop ataxia. 

The most common type of hereditary ataxia is Friedreich’s ataxia which affects approximately one in every 50 thousand people. Symptoms often develop before the age of 25. Some of these symptoms include difficulty swallowing; progressive weakness in the legs; abnormal curvature of the spine; partial or total hearing and vision loss; diabetes; and loss of feeling in the feet and hands. Patients with this type of ataxia often have a shorter life expectancy than normal.

Spinocerebellar ataxia fits into a group of hereditary ataxias that usually develop between the ages of 25 and 80, although some rare types can start during childhood. Some symptoms are similar to Friedreich’s ataxia, including difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, and peripheral neuropathy—loss of feeling in the feet and hands. However, other symptoms include muscle stiffness and cramps, incontinence, and slower eye movement, requiring the patient to move their head to compensate for the change in vision.

Ataxia telangiectasia is a rare type of hereditary ataxia that impacts about one in every one hundred thousand children. Although symptoms often develop in early childhood, they can develop later. Aside from some similararities to the other two kinds of atazxia, symptoms of AT include red blood vessel “spider-like” clusters on the cheeks and in the corners of the eyes; a weaker immune system that makes patients especially susceptible to infections; and an increased risk of cancer. Approximately 40 percent of patients suffering from AT develop cancer.

Compassionate Allowances Program (CAP) is a program that allows certain individuals to be approved for disability automatically if they fit within the criteria for Ataxia. One of the conditions on that list is called:   Spinocerebellar Ataxia.

If you suffer from Spinocerebellar Ataxia, this condition may cause progressive degeneration of the cerebellum and spinal cord. The condition could lead to progressive difficulty with their motor skills and coordination. Specific symptoms  vary though base don the severity of the disease. Some common symptoms include speech difficulties, swallowing problems, difficulty eating, and problems with ambulating and balancing.  

Another condition thats on the CAP list is called: Ataxia Telangiectasia. Ataxia Telangiectasia is often referred to as Louis-Bar Syndrome. This condition can affects multiple body parts, including a person’s ability to fight infections as well as affecting the body’s motor coordination control. If you have been diagnosed with this, your chances of getting cancer or a respiratory disorder increases substantially. 

Social Security listing 11.17 is for this disease.

11.17 Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, such as Huntington’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, and spinocerebellar degeneration, characterized by A or B:

A. Disorganization of motor function in two extremities (see 11.00D1), resulting in an extreme limitation (see 11.00D2) in the ability to stand up from a seated position, balance while standing or walking, or use the upper extremities.

OR

B. Marked limitation (see 11.00G2) in physical functioning (see 11.00G3a), and in one of the following:

Understanding, remembering, or applying information (see 11.00G3b(i)); or

Interacting with others (see 11.00G3b(ii)); or

Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace (see 11.00G3b(iii)); or

Adapting or managing oneself (see 11.00G3b(iv)).

If you need help applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 20 years experience with Social Security Disability cases. I handle cases all over the United States.