Social Security Disability & SSI Blog

Researchers Claim Special MRI Can Prove Pain

johnvtucker — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:59:18 +0000

According to an April 12, 2013 story in Medical News Today, “Using fMRI scans of the brain, US scientists have for the first time developed a method of “seeing” pain and suggest it may lead to reliable ways for doctors to quantify objectively how much pain patients are feeling. They also propose their study may open the route to using brain scans to measure anxiety, depression, and emotional states like anger.” This test – “Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging” or “fMRI” – is not widely available, but researchers feel it has promise. Keep your eyes and ears posted for more studies. To see the full article, click on this link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/259005.php.

For First Time, Pain ‘Signature’ Spotted on Brain MRIs (nlm.nih.gov)
Brain Scans Reveal Pain Is “Visible” (natureworldnews.com)
Functional MRI map for physical pain identified (2minutemedicine.com)
Study shows pain really is all in your head, and you can see it (vitals.nbcnews.com)
Pain: A Measurable Experience? (maureenabivinsphd.com)

Filed under: disabilities, disability Tagged: Functional magnetic resonance imaging, pain

Florida vets could see old VA claims settled soon

johnvtucker — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:43:30 +0000

So says the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel newspaper in a story on April 22, 2013.

By Ben Wolford, Sun Sentinel

6:01 p.m. EDT, April 22, 2013

Disabled veterans who have waited a year or longer for the government to compensate them could see their claims quickly granted — or denied — under a new Department of Veterans Affairs initiative.

More than half a million veterans have waited at least 125 days to find out how much money they will receive for their injuries and illnesses. The VA considers these claims the “backlog,” which the agency’s head has promised to eliminate by 2015.

New VA programs are often viewed with skepticism by veterans and advocates. But even self-described “jaded” advocates said they are optimistic about this plan. It promises to fast track a provisional decision that could become final after a year. Approved cases could begin receiving compensation immediately.

“I do think that’s going to help because we do have quite a few claims pending in the Broward area,” said Owen Walker, a veteran and director of the Broward County Veterans Services Center. His office assists veterans filing VA petitions.

News reports in recent months have detailed excruciating wait times and unseemly working conditions inside VA regional offices. At least one VA building was reportedly compromised because of the crushing weight of the paper files inside.

See the rest of the story at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-va-claims-plan-20130422,0,300072.story.

Filed under: backlog

Tips for How to Use Your Phone for Safety if You Are Disabled Living Alone

johnvtucker — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:24:45 +0000

Inifinitec.org offers some good safety tips for how you can use your phone for safety if you are disabled and living alone. Visit their Home Safety page.

Filed under: disabilities, disability Tagged: Safety Tips

Another Article Addressing the Costs of Social Security’s Disability Program

johnvtucker — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:18:09 +0000

From TulsaWorld – JULIE DELCOUR Associate Editor
Published: 3/31/2013 2:12 AM

They’re the walking infirm – about 5 percent of the U.S. population with bad backs, heart disease, blindness, respiratory ailments, diabetes, mental illness, etc. – who each month receive a Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income check, or both.

Depending on how the numbers are crunched there are about 14 million people receiving disability checks totaling around $175 billion a year.

Read the rest of the article at its source, Tulsa World

Social Security disability fund will run out of money in 2016 (americanthinker.com)
The Explosion of Social Security Disability (patterico.com)
Five ways to reform Social Security Disability Insurance (washingtonpost.com)

Filed under: Social Security Disability Tagged: Cost of Social Security Disability Program

Interesting Interview With Outgoing Head of Social Security, Michael Astrue

johnvtucker — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:57:12 +0000

Stephen Ohlemacher recently reported on an interview with Michael Astrue, the outgoing Commissioner of Social Security on The Huffington Post.

English: Official Photograph of Michael J. Astrue (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Commissioner Astrue takes some shots at Congress for not properly funding SSA programs, as well as commenting that lawmakers should not predispose their thinking only to making cuts. It is an interesting read. Here is the link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/14/michael-astrue-social-security_n_2685050.html.

Filed under: social security, social security program, Social Security Statistics, SSD, SSI Tagged: Michael Astrue