Examining a former Yankee's quest for SSD disability benefits

It may seem hard to believe but the start of the 2015 Major League Baseball season is now only weeks away, meaning Rangers fans will soon be filing into Global Life Park in Arlington to support the team in its quest to secure a spot atop the standings.

Interestingly enough, it's not just the start of the season that's making headlines lately, asrecent news reports have documented the struggle of one former major leaguer in his quest to secure much-needed Social Security disability benefits.

The name Brian Doyle will be familiar to most baseball fans -- especially those who root for the New York Yankees -- due to his post-season heroics in the 1978 World Series.

That's because Doyle helped propel the club toward a championship after coming off the bench to fill in for an injured teammate and hitting an astounding .438 over the course of the series.

While Doyle's professional career would only last three more years, he went into coaching and later became a minister. Sadly, he began experiencing problems with his bones after fighting through leukemia during the 1990s and suffered through many painful years before finally deciding to apply for disability benefits in 2013.

Shortly thereafter, he received the devastating news that he had Parkinson's disease.

While you would assume that someone in Doyle's position would be a deserving candidate for disability benefits given the fragile state of his health and finances, he's actually seen his application rejected on two occasions.

Indeed, in light of the lengthy SSD appeals process in his home state of Georgia, his attorney has requested what's known as an "on-the-record decision" from the Social Security Administration, which, if granted, would see a rapid decision without a hearing.

For now, Doyle, who is unable to work, will continue to rely on his small MLB pension, the wages his wife his able to earn, and the help of family and friends to get by.

Difficult cases like Doyle's illustrate just how invaluable it can be to have a skilled legal professional by your side when you look to secure disability benefits. That's because they can not only handle all matters while you focus on your health, but also navigate what can prove to be a very complex process.