Wilson’s Disease and Social Security Disability Benefits

Chicago Social Security Disability Attorney

What Is Wilson’s Disease?

Wilson’s disease causes the body to take in too much copper. The copper deposits throughout the body, causing tissue damage, scarring, and even kills off tissue. There are a number of different symptoms for the disease which include but are not limited to:

• Dementia
• Difficulty Walking
• Distress
• Fatigue
• Personality Change
• Slow Movement
• Speech Impairment
• Vomiting Blood
• Weakness

If you or someone you knows suffers from Wilson’s disease and want to see if you qualify for Social Security disability benefits (whether SSDI or SSI), feel free to contact us today.

Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits If I Suffer From Wilson’s Disease?

Wilson’s disease is absolutely recognized by the Social Security Administration! If Wilson’s disease 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 Wilson’s disease, the Social Security Administration will first determine whether your condition is severe enough to meet a listing. If you meet a listing you will be found disabled. If you do not meet a listing, the Social Security Administration will then evaluate your residual functional capacity (the most work that you can do despite your medical condition(s)).

Is There A Specific Listing For Wilson’s Disease?

The Social Security Administration recognizes Wilson’s disease under Listing of Impairments 5.05: Chronic liver disease, which can be found on the Social Security Administration website. However, because most of the listing is structured using medical terminology, it can be quite difficult to know whether you will meet the chronic liver disease listing. If you or a family member suffers from Wilson’s disease and are unable to work and want to know more about whether you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits (either SSDI or SSI), contact Pearson Disability Law, LLC at 312-999-0999.

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

Yes! If you do not meet Listing 5.05 and Wilson’s disease 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.