Benefits for AIDS Sufferer

Alan Walker, 51, who has AIDS, is a veteran of the United States Air Force. After getting out of the service, he worked as a civilian employee of the Air Force for nine years and then as a packing operator for a laboratory for seven years.

After living with AIDS for more than a decade, Walker began experiencing periods of dizziness and could no longer continue working. A previous application for Social Security Disability had been denied. Now Walker turned to Attorney Neil H. Good for representation.

Walker’s case went to a Social Security Administration hearing. In his pre-hearing memo, Attorney Good described Walker’s disability. Walker had AIDS, with complications of pneumonia, nausea, diarrhea, rashes, night sweats, neck swelling, dizziness, fainting, confusion, headaches, chills, and weakness. He also had arthritis with joint stiffness, which caused him to have difficulty walking any distance and standing or sitting for long periods. Walker had developed depression as a result of his illness, with sleep loss and loss of concentration.

The SSA’s Administrative Law Judge noted that Walker had periods of dizziness and that a consultant examiner stated that Walker should never be exposed to unprotected heights, moving mechanical parts, extreme heat, or vibrations. In the ruling, the judge also noted Walker’s mood disorder due to AIDS. The judge found Alan Walker disabled and granted him Social Security Disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income.