Section 14 of the Social Security Administration’s Listing of Impairments (Blue Book) includes immune system disorders. Those living with an immune system disorder may find that they are unable to manage the tasks necessary to maintain employment. Individuals whose symptoms overwhelm their ability to work are eligible for disability benefits. In order to claim those benefits, one must present a case to the SSA which proves they are unable to work due to their condition.

There are 9 subsections of Section 14, including:

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

      –  In order to be considered completely disabled, the applicant must have one from a list of different conditions commonly associated with HIV. This list includes (but is not limited to) bacterial, viral, helminthic, protozoan, or fungal infections; motor or cognitive dysfunction; septic arthritis; and pneumonia.

  • Immune-Deficiency Disorders

      –  This subsection includes all related disorders except for HIV. Applicants will need to provide medical evidence showing that their inflections are either resistant to treatment and/or frequent. Those who receive stem cell transplants are automatically considered disabled for a year.

  • Inflammatory Arthritis

      –  The applicant’s arthritis needs to affect a major joint system, feature a deformity, or otherwise interfere with movement necessary for their daily tasks or potential work.

  • Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis

      –  Applicants filing under either condition will need to provide evidence of shoulder or pelvic muscle failure and loss of fine motor functioning. A person can also qualify if their condition limits their ability to swallow, breathe, digest, or move their joints properly.

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

      –  Qualifying for this listing requires that two or more body systems are affected by the condition. One or more must be moderate to severe and be accompanied by fever, weight loss, malaise, or fatigue. If these conditions do not apply, an applicant may be able to qualify if they can prove their symptoms’ regular appearance affects their overall functionality at work or in social environments.

The following conditions are evaluated based on the same criteria as Lupus (above):

  • Systemic Sclerosis
  • Sjögren’s Syndrome
  • Connective Tissue Disease
  • Systemic Vasculitis

Contact Our Denver Disability Attorney

The application process for disability benefits is not always straight-forward. Many people struggle to understand the requirements for the Blue Book section relevant to them. Others are overwhelmed by the task of gathering paperwork. No matter what issue you are having or what stage in the process you are at, our Denver disability attorney can help. We are familiar with disability law and have aided many applicants through the process. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.