Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) that involves the lungs but may spread to other organs. TB is a contagious disease that can infect anyone exposed to MTB. It is useful to distinguish primary and secondary TB infection:
- Primary MTB infection is spread by air droplets from a cough or sneeze from a person infected with the bacterium and can affect anyone, but the clinical disease is limited except in people with weakened immune systems, as well as infants and the elderly. Most people recover from primary TB infection, but the infection stays inactive (latent, dormant) for years.
- Secondary TB is the reactivation of a dormant infection with MTB, usually but not always in a person with a weakened immune system.
To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 3.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Pulmonary Tuberculosis Qualify for Disability?
Unfortunately there is no listing for pulmonary tuberculosis in the SSA’s Blue Book. This is largely due to the fact that TB can often be treated over the course of a few months with heavy antibiotics. However, if TB has prevented you from performing substantial gainful activity for more than 12 months (or if your doctor expects it to), you can qualify for benefits based on the SSA’s listing for other conditions such as:
- Chronic pulmonary insufficiency (3.02); and
- Mycobacterial, mycotic, and other chronic persistent infections of the lung (3.08)
In order to qualify for disability benefits due to TB under Section 3.02 of the Blue Book, you must provide the following medical evidence to support that you suffer from:
- A chronic restrictive ventilatory disease that has or will result in respiratory failure, lung restriction, or circulatory problems
- Scarring or inflammation of the lungs
- Impaired gas exchange due to a documented pulmonary disease
It is important to consult your doctor prior to applying for disability benefits, as they will be able to perform the necessary tests and provide you with thorough documentation of your illness.
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 pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
