When Does Social Security Consider Parkinson’s Disease a Disability?
Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus, is mentioned in Social Security’s “blue book” listing of qualifying impairments under 14.00 Immune System Disorders—Adult.
Listing 14.02 says lupus can qualify for disability if you meet one of two criteria:
1. Your illness involves two or more organs or body systems with:
a. One of the organs or body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity and
b. At least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs of lupus (severe fatigue, involuntary weight loss, fever or malaise)
OR
2. You have repeated manifestations of lupus with at least two of the constitutional symptoms and one of the following at a marked level:
a. Limitation of activities of daily living
b. Limitation in maintaining social functioning
c. Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence or pace
The SSA won’t take only your word when you say that you suffer from these symptoms and they’re debilitating enough to stop you from working.
You’ll need to back up your lupus disability claim with evidence, including:
- A diagnosis from your doctor
- Results of lab tests, like urinalysis, biopsies and blood tests
- Imaging results that show how lupus affects organs or joints
- Information about treatments you’ve tried, their effectiveness and their side effects
- A list of prescription medications you take and their effects
- Records of hospitalizations or emergency room visits
- Information about accommodations you needed when you worked, like extra breaks or days off
- Statements from friends, family members and coworkers who have witnessed your health struggles
But don’t give up on your disability claim if you don’t meet these exact standards.
You can successfully apply for benefits if you show that you meet Social Security’s general definition of disability by being unable to work for 12 months or longer.
A Social Security Disability lawyer can help you gather your evidence and build a compelling case.
Is It Difficult to Get Disability Benefits for Lupus Alone?
Winning disability benefits for lupus is challenging, but getting approved for SSDI is almost always difficult, no matter what health issue you suffer from.
It takes understanding what the SSA looks for in an application for disability benefits, gathering evidence that can back up your claim, knowing how to explain your symptoms and showing how your symptoms interfere with work.
If you have additional health issues besides lupus, include all of them in your lupus disability claim. Other health problems can interact with and amplify your lupus symptoms, adding up to the inability to work.
Some health problems that people with lupus commonly report include:
- Anxiety
- Celiac disease
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Polymyositis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Sjögren’s disease
Any other health conditions not mentioned on this list could also be relevant to your claim.
An Appleton Social Security Disability lawyer can help you make sure all the health information that strengthens your claim is included when you apply for SSDI benefits.
How an Appleton Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Help
Lupus drains you. The fatigue, joint stiffness and pain can make it difficult to handle many types of job tasks, even desk work that some people assume you can do despite a lot of health issues.
Making the SSA see things this way is difficult. The SSA is strict about awarding SSDI benefits only to people who meet its definition of disability
Let a Wisconsin disability lawyer help you tell your story to Social Security.
Our team can help you chronicle every limiting symptom. We help you identify job tasks, including routine ones you might not think to list, that your symptoms prohibit you from doing. We help you organize the medical evidence that backs up what you say in your claim.
If you have questions about SSA forms or other parts of the process, we’re ready to answer.
And if you get denied disability benefits, which is common in Wisconsin and nationwide, we can support your appeal.
We’ll request reconsideration, which is the first chance to appeal. And with Geary Disability Law, you’ll have representation at your disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ).
Tim Geary has represented people in more than 1,700 disability hearings. The hearing is often an applicant’s best chance to win benefits, and our team will take the time to make sure you’re prepared.
Even if your claim requires appeals, you still only pay an attorney fee if you win benefits.
Schedule a free consultation with the team at Geary Disability Law. It won’t cost you anything to ask about your lupus disability claim.
Social Security Disability FAQs
It’s only natural for you to have many questions when your life has been disrupted by health problems and you need financial assistance. Get started on your path forward with our answers to some of the questions we hear most often:
DISABILITY FAQs
Hear from a Geary Law Firm Client
“When I did have a court date, he was confident and knew the law perfectly and was dedicated to my case.”
