Autoimmune disorders are one of the many categories of disorders and disabilities that are covered by Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). More specifically, they are mentioned in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) Blue Book, which categorizes all qualifying disabilities and the symptoms that qualify them. Tabak Law will help you understand what autoimmune diseases are covered under SSDI and more.
What Categories of Autoimmune Diseases Are Covered by SSDI?
In general, the SSA’s Blue Book splits most diseases, disorders, and disabilities into categories and each category often covers multiple conditions that all share similar symptoms. The categories mentioned in the Blue Book section for immune system disorders include systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic vasculitis, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), polymyositis and dermatomyositis, undifferentiated and mixed connective tissue disease, immune deficiency disorders (excluding HIV), inflammatory arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
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What is the SSA Blue Book?
We mentioned the Blue Book above, and before we get into it, it may be worth providing a brief explainer of what the Blue Book is. The Blue Book is split into adult and childhood. Since children do not qualify for SSDI we are only discussing the adult Blue Book here.
This Blue Book covers every or at least nearly every qualifying disability for programs like SSDI and SSI. Moreover, other government programs also look to the Blue Book for guidance on qualification. Importantly, the Blue Book not only covers disorders, but it specifies the symptoms and metrics for qualification. The Blue Book is available to the public and you can reference the most up-to-date version of it online here: SSA Blue Book.
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Autoimmune Disorders Covered by the SSA’s Blue Book
Among all those categories, there are a dozen autoimmune disorders. Some of them may be obvious given the categories mentioned, others may not be so obvious unless you have an in-depth knowledge of medicine. We break it down further below.
SSDI-Covered Autoimmune Disorders:
- Blood disorders (anemia, leukopenia)
- Cardiovascular system disorders (endocarditis, myocarditis)
- Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Lupus
- Neurologic system disorders
- Renal system disorders (glomerulonephritis)
- Respiratory system disorders (pleuritis, pneumonitis)
- Scleroderma
- Skin disorders (photosensitivity)
- Systemic Vasculitis
- Undifferentiated and mixed connective tissue disease
Other Immune Deficiency Disorders Covered by the SSA’s Blue Book
Though technically not autoimmune disorders, there are several immune deficiency disorders covered by the SSA’s Blue Book in the same section as it lumps all immune disorders, diseases, and disabilities in the same section. The immune deficiency disorders listed include:
- Endocarditis
- HIV
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Septic arthritis
- Sinusitis
A few notes here. HIV has its own devoted category. AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is mentioned in the Blue Book but does not have a section categorizing symptoms for it. Since HIV is a precursor to AIDS and most if not all cases of HIV would qualify for SSDI before the virus causes AIDS, the syndrome does not require its own category.
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Need Legal Help Getting SSDI Benefits For Your Autoimmune Disorder?
If you can no longer work due to an autoimmune disorder but have been denied your SSDI, then it may be time to get legal help. Contact Tabak for the Payback! We have years of legal experience helping people get the SSDI benefits that they deserve. Moreover, we don’t take payment unless we win your case, and even then we only take payment as a percentage of your back pay. What are you waiting for? Reach out to Tabak Law today for a free case review!
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