Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Parathyroid Gland Disorders
Parathyroid conditions are disorders that affect the four small glands in or around your thyroid gland. They release parathyroid hormone (PTH) – a hormone that controls your body’s ability to regulate calcium and phosphorus. If this hormone is too low or too high, it can lead to other health problems such as muscle cramps and nerve or bone disorders. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 9.00 of the Blue Book.
Do Parathyroid Gland Disorders Qualify for Disability?
Unlike other disorders, endocrine system disorders, including parathyroid gland disorders, are not evaluated under one list of qualifying symptoms and conditions. Since endocrine system disorders affect so many areas of the body based on which hormone is lacking or being overproduced, the SSA requires people suffering from these kinds of disorders to qualify under the particular body system that is affected.
In the case of parathyroid disorders, the most commonly addressed symptoms are bone loss, cataracts, kidney failure, nerve and muscle miss-function.
If you have bone loss due to hyperparathyroidism, your symptoms will be evaluated with the appropriate criteria under Section 1.00 of the SSA’s Blue Book Listing of Impairments, the Musculoskeletal System.
If you have cataracts due to hyperparathyroidism, your eye condition will be evaluated under Section 2.00 of the Blue Book, Special Senses & Speech.
If you have kidney problems kidney failure, your condition will be compared to the requirements under Section 6.00, Genitourinary Impairments.
Nerve and muscle function impairments due to hypoparathyroidism will be evaluated under Section 11.00, Neurological.
As with any disabling condition, the SSA requires that you provide extensive medical documentation of your impairments and prove that you are significantly hindered from carrying out a normal life, including employment.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with a parathyroid gland disorder and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
