Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is defined as a group of genetic disorders characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness and characteristic microscopic changes in the muscle.

Muscular dystrophy is part of a larger group of disorders known as sympathies, meaning that something is wrong with the muscle. The primary problem in sympathies, including muscular dystrophies, is in the muscles themselves -- not the nerves that control them, the blood vessels that supply them or the bones that support them. This distinguishes dystrophies from other conditions that affect muscles.

Muscular Dystrophy is fairly easy to diagnose, based on history and physical exam, and on laboratory analysis of blood (for the presence of certain enzymes that indicate muscle is being destroyed), blood cells (for abnormalities in the gene known to be defective in these conditions), and muscle itself (for evidence of muscle abnormalities -- most of all, for a lack of the muscle protein known as dystrophic).

Two of the obvious symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy are enlarged calves and a waddling gait. Young boys with Muscular Dystrophy use the Gowers' maneuver to rise from the floor. As a boy with Muscular Dystrophy gets older, his spine curves inward. By the time he's about 12, he'll need a wheelchair at least part of the time.

A Jacoby & Meyers professional can help you at all levels of the administrative process to:

• Assist you with your initial SSI & SSDI application, with filing your request with the Social Security Administration for reconsideration, requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge or filing an appeal with the Appeals Council
• Analyze your case under federal Social Security Disability regulations. Obtain a copy of your file from the Office of Hearings & Appeals to ensure that it reflects all your past medical treatment and that all records and documents contained therein are admissible as evidence
• Ask that any prior SSI & SSDI applications for benefits be reopened
• Protect your right to a fair hearing
• Make any necessary Social Security appeals

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Please contact our SSDI lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. Jacoby & Meyers has offices nationwide.