Below Knee Amputation Disability Percent

The Lawyers And Staff At Cannon Disability Law

You are seeking a lawyer to represent you for your amputation case. And, you need an attorney you can trust. If you want to learn more about the lawyers and staff at Cannon Disability Law, then read our About Us page. There you will find more information about each of our lawyers. For example, Andria Summers can help you with your Medicare plan. Likewise, she has also won thousands of Social Security cases.

Dianna Cannon also has many years of experience helping her clients in court. She has been an attorney for thirty years. During that time, she has won thousands of Social Security hearings. She has also won many cases on appeal to Federal Court. Ms. Cannon also has licenses in a number of states. For example, she has law licenses in California, Utah, Nevada, and Washington State.

Additionally, Brett Bunkall has experience helping people obtain their SSI and SSD benefits. Also, he has a license to practice law from the Idaho State Bar Association. Find out more about disability benefits in Idaho here. Similarly, all of our attorneys are legal experts. You can trust us to help you win SSDI and SSI benefits if you are struggling to work due to an amputation.

Lower Limb Amputation Surgeries

There are a variety of reasons why someone might need to have a lower limb amputation. The most common reason is due to diabetes. Other reasons can include an injury or infection. The surgery itself is relatively straightforward. The surgeon will remove the affected limb and then close up the wound. In most cases, a prosthetic limb can be fitted so that the patient can continue to live a relatively normal life.

Dysvascular disease is the cause of 93.8% of lower-extremity amputations, with an increase of 19.5% between 2007 and 2011. It is the most common cause of amputations in children aged 10 to 20, accounting for 1.8% of total amputations. More than 150,000 people are admitted to hospitals every year for peripheral vascular disease or diabetes-related amputations. Diabetes patients are up to 24 times more likely to have their lower limbs amputated than non-diabetes patients. The causes of amputation differ by country. One in every ten patients with dysvascular disorders will require follow-up amputation procedures within a year of their initial amputation. Lower limb amputations necessitate the use of a multidisciplinary preoperative evaluation approach.

A limb is donated to a medical college for use in dissection and anatomy classes. The limb will usually be provided to the patient on rare occasions if they request it for religious or personal reasons. The medical college usually handles the disposal of body parts, such as the arm or leg.

Hiring A Veterans Benefits Attorney

Hiring an experienced VA disability lawyer will help you avoid delays from improperly completed paperwork. The Woods and Woods team works hard to stay on top of disability benefit changes and develop innovative case strategies. Were proud to have represented thousands of veterans with a comprehensive team of lawyers, case managers, and legal analysts.

Contact us and start your application today.

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Permanent And Total Disability

The VA automatically awards permanent total disability for service-related conditions if a veterans injuries are rated at 100% and are not expected to improve. Veterans who have lost the use of one hand and one foot, both feet or both hands are among those who are granted P& T.

Unlike regular disability benefits, a permanent rating is not subject to a re-evaluation or reduction because it is not expected to improve.

Contacting A Social Security Attorney

While it is possible to complete the process yourself, applying for disability can sometimes be overwhelming. If you feel that you may qualify for disability benefits, it is wise to consult with a disability advocate or attorney. They are an irreplaceable resource when filing out applications, keeping paperwork organized, and aiding you in the appeals process if necessary. It is also required by law that disability attorneys do not receive payment unless you win your case.

To give yourself the best chance at receiving the assistance you deserve, speak with a disability attorney today.

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How The Social Security Blue Book Can Help Your Case

Social Security disability benefits are provided to Americans who are considered totally and permanently disabled. This refers to any applicant who:

• has a severe medical disorder that prevents them from completing normal daily tasks like working, bathing, dressing, cooking, or cleaning
• is expected to last more than 12 months or result in death.

Since amputations are permanent, the length of a disability is usually not an issue for applicants. However, the severity of the disorder is what typically determines whether or not an amputee qualifies for benefits.

The best way to measure your qualifications is to compare your condition with the Social Security’s Blue Book, which lists all qualifying disorders. Amputations are listed under Section 1.05 of this book, which states that amputees can qualify if they have either:

• Both hands amputated,
• One or both lower extremities amputated at or above the ankle, with stump complications that prevent the use of prosthetics ,
• One hand and one lower extremity at or above the ankle, with an inability to walk or move effectively,
• A hemipelvectomy or hip disarticulation.

In entries 1 and 4, it is rather simple to determine whether or not you will qualify. However, for entries 2 and 3, it may be difficult to determine whether or not your walking ability or stump will help you qualify for benefits.

Meet Ssas Disability Listing & Win Benefits For Amputation

In order to receive benefits, you amputation must meet SSAs listing. The listing for amputations for any cause is listing 1.20. Listing 1.20 describes five types of amputations:

• amputation of one or both legs
• amputation of one leg and one hand or arm
• amputation of both hands or arms
• amputation of one leg up to the hip , and
• pelvic amputation .

If you have had surgery for one of the last three items on this list, the SSA will automatically approve you for benefits. So, as you can see, there are some amputations that SSA considers to be an automatic award of benefits. Clearly, these are the most disabling amputations. However, for most people with amputations, they will need to meet listing 1.20 in order to receive SSDI benefits. Listing 1.20 follows:

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Amputation Diabetes And Vascular Disease

About 54% of all surgical amputations result from complications of vascular diseases and other conditions that affect blood flow, such as diabetes and peripheral arterial disease .

Chronic vascular problems can lead to tissue death in toes, feet and legs. Of patients undergoing amputation for complications of these diseases, nearly half will die within five years of the amputation procedure.

How We Assign Smc Levels L Through O

We assign SMC levels based on very specific situations and combinations of situations, including:

• The amputation of one or more limbs or extremities
• The loss of use of one or more limbs or extremities
• The physical loss of one or both eyes
• The loss of sight or total blindness in one or both eyes
• Being permanently bedridden
• Needing daily help with basic needs , also called Aid and Attendance

Select an SMC letter below to learn more about the specific situations and combinations of situations that fall within that designation.

SMC-L

• Youve physically lost both eyes, or
• You have total blindness without the ability to perceive light

Or you have total blindness with only the ability to perceive light in one eye, and:

• Youve physically lost the other eye, and have deafness in both ears , or
• You have total blindness without the ability to perceive light in the other eye, and have deafness in both ears , or
• Youve physically lost the other eye, and have lost the use of one foot , or
• You have total blindness without the ability to perceive light in the other eye, and have lost the use of one foot

Or you have total blindness with only the ability to perceive light in both eyes, and:

• You have deafness in both ears , or
• Youve had one hand amputated, or
• Youve lost the use of one foot, or
• Youve lost the use of one hand, or
• Youve had one foot amputated, or
• Youve lost the use of one foot

Or you have blindness in one eye, and:

SMC-N 1/2

SMC-O

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Is Amputation Of A Limb An Automatic Disability

Disability benefits for amputation of a limb is available from the SSA under certain circumstances. You might believe that the amputation of a limb would automatically qualify you for benefits. But it doesnt. Only certain types of amputations qualify for benefits.

For example, the amputation of your foot at the ankle joint does not qualify SSDI benefits. Instead, to qualify for Social Security benefits you need to have an amputation of your arm and your leg. For example, SSAs rules state to qualify for benefits you must have an amputation of your arm, occurring at the level above the wrist, AND amputation of your leg. Also, the leg amputation must be at or above your ankle. Finally, you must need to use a cane in your remaining hand in order to walk. Or, you need to use a wheelchair.

SSAs rules with regard to amputation are harsh. Especially when you consider that amputations are more common in the United States than ever before. According to the Amputee Coalition, around 2 million Americans currently live with limb loss. Of those people, at least 50% lost one or more limbs to a vascular disease like diabetes type 2. Accidents, equipment malfunctions, or other types of trauma cause the other half of amputations. Additionally, almost half of those people with amputations suffer trauma in the affected limb.

What You Need To Know

• Amputation can be traumatic or surgical .
• A portion of the body could also be missing before birth, called congenital amputation.
• Healing, recovery and rehabilitation from a major amputation require a multidisciplinary approach.
• A person undergoing an amputation may or may not use a prosthetic as part of the recovery plan.

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Special Monthly Compensation Rates For Veterans With Dependents Including Children

Effective December 1, 2022

Level R may apply if you need daily help from another person for basic needs .

Level S may apply if you cant leave the house because of your service-connected disabilities.

SMC-L through SMC-N

Start with the Basic SMC rates table. Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then find your SMC letter designation in the top row. Your monthly basic rate is where your dependent status and SMC letter meet.

If you have more than one child or your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also check the Added amounts table, and add these to your amount from the Basic SMC rates table.

SMC-N 1/2 through SMC-S

Start with the Basic SMC rates table. Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then find your SMC letter designation in the top row. Your monthly basic rate is where your dependent status and SMC letter meet.

If you have more than one child or your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also check the Added amounts table, and add these to your amount from the Basic SMC rates table.

Applying For Disability Benefits For Amputations

Amputation is the traumatic or surgical removal of any part of the body, which can have a considerable impact on an individuals life. The loss of a leg or arm can create serious difficulties and limit a persons ability to perform daily activities. An amputation is generally irreversible and can be emotionally devastating for the victims. However, there are several reasons why surgical amputation can be important and beneficial. Here are some of the critical reasons why your medical healthcare professional may suggest this treatment to you.

• A severe injury in that body part
• Infection that does not get better with medications and other treatment options
• Cancerous tumor
• Thickening of the nerve tissues

These are some of the conditions for which amputation may become necessary and is often the only option for treatment. When an individual does not consent to amputation and keeps ignoring their condition for a long time, the situation can become life-threatening.

This is because the tissues present in the affected body part can die, leading to severe infections and gangrene, which may affect the bodys overall health or even lead to death. Many older adults face the need for amputations, and they can apply for disability benefits under the Social Security Administrations disability over 50 program.

Section 1.05 of the Blue Book covers amputations. To qualify for benefits under this listing, an applicant will have to meet the eligibility criteria set forth in the Blue Book.

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Three: Gather Tax Info Work History And Prepare To Fill Out The Application

The Social Security disability application requires all information that gives insight onto your life and how your illness affects you, such as tax info and work history.

Tax information allows the SSA to see how much money you have contributed to Social Security in the years youve been working. Depending on your age, you must have contributed a certain amount to qualify for disability insurance.

Work history is also provided to show the SSA what types of work you have experience in, when/if you stopped working, and whether or not your amputation prevents you from working similar jobs. It is also best to have as much documentation on hand as possible before beginning the application.

Living As A Below Knee Amputee

Amputation is a physical challenge, but its a big emotional challenge as well. Its not uncommon for recent amputees to be overcome with feelings of grief. Recent amputees should give themselves time to adjust to a new body image. Emotional support is just as important as physical therapy, so turning to counselors, social workers, and other below knee amputees to discuss your new lifestyle is integral to the process.

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How Amputations Are Done

Amputations can be done under general anaesthetic or using either an epidural anaesthetic or spinal anaesthetic . The choice of anaesthetic can depend on what part of your body is being amputated.

Most amputations involve removing a section of a limb rather than the entire limb.

Once the section of the limb has been amputated, additional techniques can be used to help improve the function of the remaining part of the limb and reduce the risk of complications.

These include shortening and smoothing the bone in the remaining section of the limb so it’s covered by an adequate amount of soft tissue and muscle. The surgeon then stitches the muscle to the bones to help strengthen the remaining section .

After the amputation, your wound will be sealed with stitches or surgical staples. It will be covered with a bandage and a tube may be placed under your skin to drain any excess fluid. The bandage will usually need to be kept in place for a few days to reduce the risk of infection.

Lifestyle Following Bk Amputation

Over time, your physical activity will increase, and youll gain independence and confidence. Youll become more comfortable walking with your artificial limb, especially navigating stairs and uneven terrain. Youll first learn to maneuver within your living space, but those skills will quickly translate to the world outside your homes walls. Taking a shower will require new skills, and you may find that a stool, shower chair or hands-free crutch like the iWALK is necessary.

Crawling may be necessary when using the bathroom at night or other times when you arent wearing your prosthetic or using crutches. As time goes on, youll learn what works for you and that living as an amputee does not necessarily mean your pre-amputation lifestyle has been compromised .

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Necessary Paperwork For The Application

As a general rule of thumb, the more information you provide on your application, the more likely you are to receive benefits. This means providing an in-depth look into your medical history, your test results, and even your therapy history. Be sure to prepare copies of the following:

• X-rays: This is the most common evidence provided to show the location and severity of the amputation.
• Blood tests and tissue samples: For those with complications resulting from their amputation, this is the easiest way to diagnose further issues.
• CT & MRI scans: These can also help to determine what complications may prevent a person from walking efficiently or using a prosthetic.
• General medical history: Include notes from your physician that describe your condition since the beginning of your medical issues, as well as other tests that may demonstrate other disorders that led to your amputation.
• Physical therapy notes: Notes from your therapist regarding your progress after an amputation can be valuable when helping Social Security determine your capacity for work and self-care.

If you are unsure whether or not your complications will help you qualify for benefits, you should also ask your doctor to complete an RFC test.

These tests measure a persons ability to complete necessary daily actions like walking, sitting, standing up, pushing, pulling, lifting, or bending.