Disability Claims for Polyneuropathy

Polyneuropathy is a type of nerve damage that indicates when multiple nerves are damaged. This condition can cause some major symptoms and disability. Some sufferers may turn to social security disability assistance for help.

Causes

• Polyneuropathy can be caused by many conditions including alcoholism, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. According to the Neuropathy Association, about 30 percent of peripheral neuropathy is linked to diabetes.

Process

• Obtaining disability benefits is not an easy process. An application can be completed online at the Social Security Administration's website, socialsecurity.gov. A representative then assesses and reviews the application to see if the applicant qualifies.

Considerations

• As with most claims for disability, people with polyneuropathy must prove the condition renders them unable to work and show medical evidence to support this claim. When applying for social security disability, the applicant must also show she is unable to perform both past work as well as "other work," work for which she is qualified.