Understanding Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and How Advances in Research Are Providing New Hope
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fast-progressing neurodegenerative disease that leads to muscle weakness and loss of muscle control. As reported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, most ALS cases—about 90-95%—develop without any known risk factors. Only 5-10% of cases are inherited, often due to genetic mutations passed down from parents.
One significant mutation, found in the SOD1 gene, is responsible for around 20% of inherited Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. This mutation leads to the formation of clumped proteins called trimers, which are toxic to motor neurons, the cells responsible for controlling muscle movement.
Promising Research in ALS Treatment
In a promising breakthrough, scientists at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine have developed a technique to stabilize the mutated SOD1 gene, aiming to prevent these harmful protein clumps. Using advanced computer models, they found that adding phosphate to the SOD1 proteins prevents them from clumping together.
This research, published in the journal Structure, marks an exciting step toward preventing Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in patients with this genetic mutation. Moreover, there’s hope that this approach might also help tackle non-inherited forms of the disease in the future.
Fast-Tracked Disability Benefits for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients
Suppose you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In that case, you are eligible for expedited Social Security disability benefits through the Compassionate Allowances program. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses this program to prioritize diseases that are progressive and terminal, streamlining the disability approval process to ensure individuals with ALS receive benefits quickly.
While ALS qualifies automatically, patients still need to provide medical evidence to support their diagnosis. The Disability Help Group assists individuals by gathering required documentation and guiding them through the claims process, ensuring they receive the support they need.
Disability Help Group Can Assist You
For more information on how we can assist you with disability benefits, reach out to one of our expert SSD advocates today at 800-800-3332 or click here.
If you suffer from a disability and live in the U.S. you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. For this to happen the Social Security Administration must deem your disability severe enough that you cannot engage in “Substantial Gainful Activity”
The SSA evaluates your medical condition by looking at the “Listing of Impairments” and assessing your work-related limitations. The “Listings” outline each major body system, and provide requirements necessary for proving disability. Many of the listed impairments are permanent or likely to result in death.
For all other conditions, the SSA assesses your medical evidence which must demonstrate that your disorder will last at least 12 months and prevent you from working at any job.
What Are The Most Common Disabilities?
The list below will show you the type of medical conditions/disabilites that are the most common among SSD benefit applicants. (This list is based on the SSA’s Blue Book.)
Cancer
Cardiovascular Systems
Congenital Disorders That Affect Multiple Body Systems
Digestive System
Endocrine System Disorders
Hematological Disorders
Genitourinary Disorders
Immune System Disorders
Mental Disorders
Musculoskeletal System
Neurological Disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Skin Disorders
Special Senses and Speech
Get The Help You Need To Secure SSD Benefits
At Disability Help Group, we work hard to build a strong medical file to support your SSD claim. We will request your medical records and medical evaluations from your doctors and give you the best chance of receiving the benefits you deserve. Contact our team of experts today here or call us at 800-800-3332.
Benefits for Children of Vietnam Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange
The children of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange often suffer serious disabling health conditions. Many infants born in the 1960s and 70s following the Vietnam and Korean Wars suffered birth defects such as spina bifida due to their military parents’ exposure to the toxic herbicide.
Be a biological child of a Vietnam or Korean War veteran
Have a birth defect that resulted in a permanent physical or mental disability
Have proof that their parent or parents served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975, or in/near the Korean demilitarized zone between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971
Have been conceived after the veteran parent first entered Vietnam or Korean demilitarized zone
Children of female Vietnam veterans may also be eligible if their mother served there between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975.
Conditions That May Meet The Criteria
Agent Orange has been documented to cause many serious health conditions including some birth defects in the children of the veterans that were exposed.
Spina bifida is one of the most common causes of birth defects in these children. Spina Bifida is presumed by the VA as a condition that is due to the veteran’s exposure to herbicides, like Agent Orange, during their service. Because of this presumption, the VA does not require any evidence linking the condition to service.
Other conditions include, but are not limited to:
Achondroplasia
Cleft lip and cleft palate
Congenital heart disease
Congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot)
Esophageal and intestinal atresia
Hallerman-Streiff syndrome
Hip dysplasia
Hirschprung’s disease (congenital megacolon)
Hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis
Hypospadias
Imperforate anus
Neural tube defects
Poland syndrome
Pyloric stenosis
Syndactyly (fused digits)
Tracheoesophageal fistula
Undescended testicle
Williams syndrome
Presently, there are now adult children of Vietnam veterans questioning life-long health conditions they believe are due to their parent’s exposure to Agent Orange. The VA currently considers cases of medical conditions present from birth and not health conditions that develop later in a veteran’s child’s life.
Help For Disabled Children Of Vietnam Veterans
If you have questions regarding your eligibility, contact the Disability Help Group to speak with one of our claims representatives and find the answers. Call today – 1-(800)-800-3332.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that typically affects children under the age of five. The American Cancer Society estimates doctors will diagnose another 5,970 new cases this year, and 1,440 people will die from ALL. This type of cancer attacks the lymphoblasts, immature white blood cells in bone marrow.
For years, treatment for ALL has started with chemotherapy and often progresses to stem cell transplantation, radiation therapy, and targeted drugs.
One treatment that doctors have used for decades is the application of the L-asparaginase enzyme. This enzyme is isolated from Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi bacteria, and can achieve a high rate of remission. However, it has the risk of causing mild to severe allergic responses in about 25 percent of patients.
Researchers have begun the process of seeking a less toxic enzyme to help improve remission rates. The study, published in Scientific Reports, began by looking at several fungi that also secrete the L-asparaginase enzyme. They found that common baker’s yeast had a similar enzyme and carried less risk of an immune response thanks to a composition similar to human cells.
Researchers tested the effectiveness of the yeast enzyme against the E. coli enzyme. When added to human leukemia cells, the yeast enzyme killed roughly 70-80 percent of the MOLT4 (asparagine) cells, while the E. coli enzyme killed about 90 percent. Even though the yeast enzyme had a lower cell death rate, doctors might consider it for use in patients who are likely to have an immune response.
Leukemia Qualify Your Child for Social Security Disability
Children with certain childhood diseases, like leukemia, are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and might be entitled to Social Security disability benefits under their parents’ contributions. To find out more about your child’s eligibility and how to file a claim on their behalf, the Disability Help Group is here to help.
Call us at 800-800-2009 to speak with one of our disability advocates today for free. Or, click here to see some of our frequently asked questions.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination is a Presumptive Service Connection. Veterans can claim certain illnesses they may have contracted in Camp Lejeune, even if they cannot connect the disability to the contaminated water. A Veteran may qualify by showing they were stationed at Camp Lejeune during the qualifying period of time and have an approved disability.
What is the presumptive service connection?
What is a presumptive service connection? A presumptive service connection assumes a link between the medical condition and the veteran’s service. Therefore, making it easier for a veteran to prove their Camp Lejeune service connected condition due to water contamination is service connected. The general rule requires the veteran to show the disability is connected to service in order to receive service connected compensation.
How to qualify for Camp Lejeune presumptive pay
Veterans may qualify for veterans compensation if they served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. It is very important to understand the rules that apply for the Camp Lejeune water contamination benefits because you may receive presumptive compensation.
Conditions that qualify for Camp Lejeune water contamination
Adult leukemia
Aplastic anemia
Bladder cancer
Kidney cancer
Liver cancer
Multiple myeloma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Other myelodysplastic syndromes
Parkinson’s disease
Investigations showed contamination in the water
The investigators determined toxic contaminants existed in the water supply, therefore causing serious medical conditions. As a result the VA passed the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. In conclusion, veterans can receive presumptive compensation for Camp Lejeune water contamination.
Qualify for presumptive disability
You can qualify for presumptive service connection by showing a clean discharge record, served at Camp Lejeune during the required period of time, and if you have a listed condition. Service-Connected Diseases and Injuries Qualify Most Veterans for Disability Benefits. Veterans stationed at Camp Lejeune are eligible for presumptive compensation due to water contamination. In conclusion, Camp Lejeune water contamination is a presumptive service connection
Disability Help Group represents disabled veterans. If you have questions about your rating, benefits, date of onset, qualifying medical condition or other question, call us at 800-800-3332. Camp Lejeune veterans and family members can click here to talk to an expert on Camp Lejeune Water Contamination.
