This makes filing for social security disability under this medical condition feel just as difficult. Tracking the history of these episodes and varying symptoms can feel like an impossible task for the claimant facing this condition.
Filing a claim under the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Blue Book guidelines alone can also feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in to help gather medical evidence, fight for you, and help you qualify for disability benefits.
What is Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE is an autoimmune disease that is discovered through a complete blood count and antibody blood test. These tests are conducted to see if the patient’s antibodies from their immune system are attacking the body’s tissue.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), some of the most common symptoms of lupus include:
- Joint pain or stiffness
- A butterfly rash across the cheeks and nose
- Severe fatigue
- Skin lesions
- Sunlight sensitivities
- Fever
- Blue or white discoloration of the fingers and toes during periods of cold weather or high stress
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
While there are higher chances of someone developing lupus in their lifetime if a family member has it, medical professionals do not know what causes this disease. Women are also ten times more likely to develop the disease than men.
There are long-term medications available to treat lupus, however the side effects often cause their own set of physical and mental health challenges. When an SSI claim is filed for someone with lupus, the documentation of these challenges should also be considered.
Due to the similarities in symptoms of other autoimmune disease diagnoses such as dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome, sometimes a claimant might receive an initial diagnosis outside of lupus. This should not discourage you from filing, because what is more important is how the symptoms or flares of this medical condition affect your ability to work.
