Hepatitis C is a debilitating disease that attacks your liver, you may have the disease and not be aware of it. There are numerous ways it can be spread. Many clients I have represented who have Hepatitis C, have also developed Cirrhosis of the liver, which in and of itself can be fatal.
There is a listing under the Social Security Disability rules that explains in a medical term how you meet this listing, however it has been my experience that the technical definition is hard to meet. I would rather try to explain how one might meet this listing through the symptons and limitations that accompany this deadly disease.
Clients relate these conditions to me as a result of their Hepatitis C. Many clients tell me that they suffer from constant fatigue, and weakness, they feel as though they cannot do very much physically. Sometimes people infected with Hepatitis C will not have symptoms for quite sometime, even though they are infected, however once the symptoms begin many clients inform me that even doing just a desk job exhausts them to the point of requiring immediate rest at the end of the day.
It is so important at a hearing based on Hepatitis C to explain to the Judge your symptoms, the Judge cannot see how tired this disease makes you, some things that need to be explained is your average day, how much rest you require, and what happened the last time you tried to work a full day at any job.
There is a very powerful drug used to fight Hepatitis C, it is called Interferon, this drug while helpful has many dilibilitating side affects that may keep someone from working a full day. The combination of the drug and the side affects from the disease are quite certainly disabling, however the Judge cannot see these things, therefore it is so very important to relay these issues at your hearing.
Should you need assistance in your claim for Social Security Disability, please give me a call Monday through Friday at toll free (877) 271-2633 or local at (615) 308-2633. I look forward to hearing from you.
Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.