What are Kidney and Bladder Disorders?
Kidney and bladder disorders are any of the diseases that affect the kidneys and bladders. There are several kinds of kidney and bladder conditions, such as kidney disease. Some are chronic, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), and may cause long-term disability. Others are mild and can be treated easily. However, most of them usually appear and affect the patients in the same way. Most problems that affect the kidney translate to the bladder and vice versa. Some kidney and bladder diseases can be caused by other diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Other causes for kidney and bladder problems include obesity, smoking, abnormal kidney structure, and having a history of kidney disease.
Kidney disease and bladder problems are common in adults, and in the USA, 15% of adults have some form of chronic kidney disease or bladder condition, as per the CDC. This means that one in seven adults has a kidney and bladder disorder. Some of these individuals, such as those who suffer from chronic kidney disease, could be impacted so severely by their kidney disease or bladder disorder that they are unable to work. If so they may qualify for long-term disability benefits and/or Social Security Disability benefits.
Disability Benefits for Kidney Disease and Bladder Problems
Disability Insurance
Disability insurance is a type of insurance coverage intended to help individuals who are unable to work for a period of time due to disabling injuries or illness. Since many individuals would be unable to survive without an income for an extended period of time, disability insurance is there to replace a percentage of your income in such situations. If the insurance company approves the claim the affected parties will receive assistance through their tough times so that they can concentrate on healing. Most policyholders have both short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) insurance.
However, you may need to hire a disability lawyer to ensure that you get the best outcome in your long term disability insurance claim. Even though insurance companies have billions of dollars, some will still deliberately deny people’s disability claims to increase their profits. Some insurance companies play hard to get with your disability benefits and may deny your claim from the start. Alternatively, benefits may be paid for a period of time, then terminated before the claimant is ready to return to work. Working with an attorney will help to ensure that you get the benefits that you deserve and that you continue to receive those benefits for as long as possible. Even if you think you meet all the requirements for long-term disability benefits, you may consider working with a disability attorney to avoid any unnecessary delays in your claim.
Long Term Disability Insurance Companies
The Ortiz Law Firm will fight back against any of the major insurance companies offering policies in the United States. Some significant insurance companies have the tendency to reject the LTD benefits claims of ordinary people, but we are not afraid of any long term disability insurance carrier. We know the law, and we are experts in long-term disability insurance claims for kidney and bladder diseases. We will use our experience and skill to ensure that you get the benefits that you deserve for your condition. Long-term disability is an institution set in place to help the people, and your case deserves to be heard.
Social Security Disability
It is also possible to obtain disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for kidney disease or bladder problems. The SSA has its own rules for what qualifies people as disabled. Kidney disease or bladder conditions falls under the broader category of genitourinary conditions, and as such, they are evaluated under listing 6.00 – Genitourinary Disorders. In fact, chronic kidney disease is specifically listed under listing 6.00. You may meet the SSA’s listing for genitourinary impairments if you suffer from:
- CKD with chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis;
- CKD that has required a kidney transplant; or
- CKD with impairment of kidney function.
Another one of Social Security’s rules is that in order to qualify for benefits, you must be disabled or be expected to remain disabled for 12 months or more. As such, it’s possible that you may qualify for disability insurance benefits but not Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
If you do not have a disability policy with an insurance company, you may receive Social Security Disability benefits. However, there are certain work requirements that must be met. Typically people must have worked 5 out of the previous 10 years to meet the SSA’s work requirements. If you believe that you meet all of the SSA’s rules and requirements, but your claim has been denied, you have the ability to hire an expert in disability law to represent you at any stage of the process.
Qualifying for Disability Due to a Kidney or Bladder Disorder
The symptoms of and treatments for various kidney disease and bladder problems can make it challenging for many people to work. If you are unable to work as a result of your condition you should qualify for disability benefits. Whether you are seeking LTD or SSD benefits, you will need objective evidence to support your claim. Objective evidence will show that the claimant’s quality of life and ability to work is being affected by the disease. Objective evidence is crucial in determining whether a person qualifies for disability for kidney and bladder conditions. If you are not sure what information you need to submit then you should consider consulting with an attorney. Many attorneys offer a free case evaluation to people who may need to hire a lawyer so that they can determine if it is a case they have the ability to help with.
Symptoms
Although having a regular checkup is recommended, there are signs that will show you that you may have problems with your kidneys or bladder. With over 37-millions of Americans with the disease, it is vital to be on the lookout for any symptoms. Early diagnosis is crucial and will help ensure that treatment is more effective and takes place at the right time to preserve bladder and kidney function. Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of kidney and bladder problems:
- Fatigue and trouble concentrating – When you have kidney problems, there is a buildup of toxins in your blood. This will make you feel tired a lot and have difficulty concentrating. Kidney and bladder problems can also lead to anemia, which makes one fatigued.
- Lack of sleep – The buildup of toxins in blood can make a person have trouble sleeping. There is a link between obesity, sleep apnea, and chronic kidney and bladder conditions.
- Dry and itchy skin – The kidney helps in the excretion of excess fluids and toxins, which help keep red blood cells, skin, and bones healthy. Dry and itchy skin anywhere on your body can be related to chronic kidney and bladder problems.
- Urge to urinate more – When a person has kidney and bladder problems, there is the urge to urinate more. However, the passing of urine can be in low volumes each time.
- Blood in urine – Blood in the urine is a common sign of kidney and bladder conditions.
- Foamy urine – With kidney disease and bladder conditions, the urine can be frothy and have a bubble-like appearance.
- Swollen feet and ankles – One of the most common symptoms related to kidney disease and bladder problems is swollen feet and ankles. Kidney failure leads to sodium retention in the body, which tends to collect in the feet and ankles. Swelling throughout the body often results in pain.
- Shortness of breath – Acute kidney failure may lead to a buildup of fluid in your lungs, which can cause shortness of breath.
- Pain, numbness, and tingling in the feet and legs.
- Weight loss and lack of appetite.
- Eventually, a person with chronic kidney failure may begin to feel bone pain. This pain occurs because kidney function plays an important role in maintaining bone health.
It is important that you discuss all of your signs and symptoms with your doctors so that the information can be documented in your medical records. Disability claims are only approved if there is medical evidence to document your condition and its resulting impairments.
Treatment
Most kidney and bladder disorder treatments involve treating the symptoms and the actual cause of the disease concurrently. Whether you suffer from kidney disease, bladder problems, or a combination of the two, a comprehensive treatment plan is needed for the best results. It is of the utmost importance that your treatment plan is included in your medical records and that the medical evidence proves that you have followed the recommended treatment plan. If you have undergone dialysis, be sure to obtain records from the dialysis center. If you suffer any side effects from your treatment that affect your ability to work then you should make sure that information is documented in your medical records as well.
Dealing with the symptoms while slowly eliminating the cause is an effective way of treating kidney disease and bladder diseases. There are several specific treatments: antibiotics are commonly used to deal with infections and training the bladder to increase its urine capacity can be helpful. In some cases, kidney function is so limited that machines are used to perform the essential kidney functions for the patient, such as with dialysis. Treatment typically takes place over long periods of time and requires regular visits to your medical practitioner or hospital of choice. If you suffer from chronic kidney disease your doctor may consider a kidney transplant.
How Will an Attorney Help with Your Disability Claim
One question you are probably asking yourself is why you would need a disability attorney. After all, you know that the symptoms of your kidney disease prevent you from working. You may already be undergoing dialysis to try to extend the life of your kidneys while you await a kidney transplant. Despite these factors, there is a high probability that the insurance company or SSA will deny many LTD or SSD cases.
Many people do not look to attorneys for assistance with their case until the case has been denied. At this stage of the process, a claimant must appeal the insurance company’s denial. One of the benefits of hiring a disability lawyer is that you get help filing appeals. Legitimate cases are rejected every day, but you do not have to go through the appeal process alone. The Ortiz Law Firm will help you make a strong appeal that will leave the insurance company with no choice but to approve your disability case.
Tell Us About Your Case
If you have problems with your kidneys or bladder and have been denied benefits you should seek out legal advice. We encourage you to tell us how the insurance company has wrongfully denied your claim so that we can help you fight for your benefits. We offer a free case evaluation to disability insurance claimants that have been wrongfully denied or terminated. We also offer a free case evaluation to any Social Security Disability claimants at any stage of the process from the initial application stage through the hearing stage. The attorney-client privilege applies to any information you share during the evaluation. Call us at (888) 321-8131 for a free case evaluation.