Sarcoidosis and Social Security Disability Benefits

Chicago Social Security Disability Application Attorney

What Is Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a very complicated condition. It is an inflammatory disease where the body’s immune system becomes confused and begins attacking itself. While the disease typically affects the lungs, it can damage any part of the body. The disease typically produces small nodules called granulomas (clusters of immune cells) which can be found anywhere on the body. For this reason, one of the more common methods of diagnosis is by performing a biopsy of an affected area. CT scans and x-rays of the chest are also commonly performed. However, as with fibromylagia it can take some time to come to a definitive diagnosis for sarcoidosis. This is because there are so many different symptoms for the condition. Doctors may only discover sarcoidosis through a lengthy process of elimination of conditions. Some of the symptoms of sarcoidosis include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Joint aches
• Headaches
• Seizures
• Eye problems
• Chest pain
• Weight loss

If you suffer from sarcoidosis and it is preventing you from working, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits (whether SSDI or SSI). Feel free to contact our law firm today for more information about disability benefits at 312-999-0999.

Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits If I Suffer From Sarcoidosis?

If you suffer from sarcoidosis and it is preventing you from working for at least 12 months, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits (whether SSDI or SSI). When you apply for disability benefits with sarcoidosis, the Social Security Administration will first determine whether your condition is severe enough to meet a listing. There is no specific listing for sarcoidosis. This means that your condition would have to meet another listing to immediately qualify for disability benefits. In other words, if for example your sarcoidosis has caused you to go blind, the Social Security Administration would then determine whether your condition meets the listing for vision. If you meet an equivalent listing, you will be found to be medically disabled. If you do not meet a listing, Social Security will evaluate your residual functional capacity (the most work that you can do despite your medical condition(s)) and determine whether you are entitled to disability benefits. The majority of claimants applying for disability benefits with sarcoidosis have to argue their case based on functional capacity since there is no specific listing for the condition. However, since sarcoidosis can affect so many different parts of the body it is not uncommon to argue that the combination of all of the affects of the condition is preventing you from working and still win your case.

Is There A Specific Listing For Sarcoidosis?

The Social Security Administration does not have a specific listing for sarcoidosis. If you are applying for Social Security disability benefits due to sarcoidosis, Social Security will first determine whether your condition meets an equivalent listing. Some of the more common equivalent listings for sarcoidosis include listing 1.02, 2.00, and 3.00.

If I Do Not Meet The Listing, Is There Another Way To Get Social Security Disability Benefits?

If you do not meet a listing (which is common) and sarcoidosis is preventing you from working, you may still qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

The Social Security Administration will proceed with your case by evaluating your Residual Functional Capacity. To do this, the Administration will determine the most amount of work that you can do despite your limitations. They do this by dividing “work” into four different categories: heavy, medium, light, and sedentary. It is worth noting that there is sometimes a fifth category that is recognized for very heavy work; however, very heavy work is scarcely used. Whether a claimant wins his or her disability claim is greatly affected by which category he or she is ultimately put into. Being put into a lower category increases the likelihood that a claim is approved for Social Security disability benefits.