Social Security and Autoimmune Disorders

Lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, and other autoimmune diseases wreak havoc on your body. While many Americans lead productive lives with autoimmune disorders, others are not so lucky. Unfortunately, Social Security does not always understand the struggles of autoimmune disorder patients. Their symptoms may wax and wane, and Social Security often assumes that a patient will simply remain in remission indefinitely.

At McCroskey Law, our Social Security lawyers understand how vicious and disabling autoimmune disorders can be. If you have been denied Social Security disability or SSI benefits, and you suffer from an autoimmune disorder, there is hope.

Unlike immune deficiency disorders, autoimmune disorders involve an over-active immune system. Antibodies, which typically defend us from infection, attack healthy tissue. This can cause inflammation, swelling, pain, fatigue, and permanent damage to multiple anatomic systems. Common autoimmune disorders include:

• Celiac Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease)
• Lupus
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Type I Diabetes

Many autoimmune disorders are addressed by specific Social Security Listings of Impairment. A Listing details specific symptoms, associated with a condition, that will qualify a Social Security applicant for benefits. There are Listings for lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid/inflammatory arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome. These Listings can be difficult for the average person to understand, but McCroskey Law’s attorneys can guide you through this analysis.

Our Social Security lawyers understand the medical complexities of these conditions. We know how to explain these complicated claims and the challenges our clients face to the Social Security Administration. If you need assistance with your Social Security disability or SSI benefits, contact McCroskey Law today. Our attorneys are available for appointments in Muskegon, Grand Rapids, and Battle Creek. Initial consultations are always free, and we will be more than happy to answer your questions.