Three Immune Disorders That May Qualify You for Social Security Disability
Posted on: 8 May 2018
Around 5 to 8 percent of people living in the United States have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Medical professionals have identified at least 80 kinds of autoimmune diseases, and while each disorder has its own set of symptoms, they all have one thing in common. Also known as immune disorders, autoimmune diseases are characterized by a faulty immune system. Instead of protecting the body from foreign substances, the immune system causes the body to attack itself.
Some immune disorders can be quite debilitating, which is why certain diagnoses may qualify you for social security disability benefits. Here are just three of them.
1. Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a progressive immune disorder that affects the central nervous system and causes damage to the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The damage sustained to the nerves can disrupt the flow of information from the brain to the body. While it can be hard to diagnose MS, some of the most common symptoms include:
- Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs
- Prolonged double vision
- Lack of coordination or being unsteady
In order to qualify for social security disability, either you must have the disorder for 12 months, or it is expected to last that long.
Scleroderma
This immune disorder is actually caused by an overactive immune system that primarily affects the body's connective tissue. The connective tissue thickens when the body produces too much collagen. People with scleroderma experience varying degrees of scarring, inflammation, and pain. Some will also have problems with their blood vessels. The most common symptoms of scleroderma include:
- Hardened or tightened patches of skin
- Exaggerated numbness in the fingers or toes in cold weather
- Digestive problems including acid reflux
You should be able to qualify for social security disability if the scleroderma affects your internal organs and you can prove this disorder is expected to last for at least 12 months.
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is another immune disorder is caused by an overactive immune system. It primarily affects the rectum and colon (large intestine). Some of the most common symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis include:
- Diarrhea (usually with blood present)
- Rectal pain or bleeding
- Urgency or inability to defecate
If you can prove that your weight loss is associated with ulcerative colitis and that you're unable to work for 12 months because of the disorder, you may be able to qualify for social security disability.
Social security lawyers will be able to help if you have an immune disorder and you are trying to qualify for social security disability.
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