Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Coagulation Defects
Coagulation defects are a family of medical conditions characterized by excessive bleeding and a lack of blood clotting. Your blood clots due to the action of plasma proteins, also known as coagulation factors, which act together with other chemicals in the blood to form fibrin, the material in the blood that stops bleeding. If your plasma proteins are low in number or missing altogether, the blood cannot produce fibrin and excessive bleeding is the result. Coagulation defects can result from disease, vitamin K deficiency, or as a side effect of certain medicines, such as aspirin and other anticoagulants. They can also be caused by genetic disorders such as hemophilia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and Von Willebrand disease, diseases such as acute or chronic leukemia or liver disease, or conditions such as Vitamin K deficiency. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 7.08 of the Blue Book.
Do Coagulation Defects Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with coagulation defects do qualify, however the condition must be present together with spontaneous hemorrhaging requiring transfusion at least three times during the five months prior to the time SSA reviews your case in order to qualify for a favorable ruling.
The SSA does not specifically discuss coagulation disorders that are the result of other diseases or conditions. In those cases, it is beneficial to document the diseases or conditions that have resulted in your coagulation defect in your Social Security exhibit file, as well as the defect itself.
For inherited coagulation defects, the SSA requires that the condition be documented by laboratory evidence.
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 coagulation defects and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
