Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Connective Tissue Disease
Connective tissue disease refers to a group of disorders involving the protein-rich tissue that supports organs and other parts of the body. Examples of connective tissue are fat, bone, and cartilage. These disorders often involve the joints, muscles, and skin, but they can also involve other organs and organ systems, including the eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and blood vessels. There are more than 200 disorders that affect the connective tissue. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 14.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Connective Tissue Disease Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with connective tissue disease do qualify, but they need to meet the requirements of the SSA’s guidelines for this disability. you must have medical proof that your symptoms indicate either:
- Undifferentiated connective tissue disease – symptoms associated with connective tissue disease but not meeting the criteria for and therefore unable to be narrowed to one specific disease.
- Mixed connective tissue disease – symptoms and blood tests that solidly indicate more than one type of connective tissue disease.
In addition to this, the SSA requires one of the following combination of symptoms and scenarios:
You must have frequent symptoms of the disease, at least two signs of severe illness, and prove that your condition disables you from performing daily tasks, and interacting with others while functioning mentally and physically to perform job tasks.
Two or more areas of your body must be affected by the disease. At least one of these areas must show severe symptoms; additionally, you must show at least two symptoms of severe illness (fever, loss of weight, severe weakness, etc.).
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 connective tissue disease and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
