All disorders are evaluated differently by social security. There are a variety of immune system disorders that are all evaluated differently and are treated differently.
Immune system disorders are organized into three categories: autoimmune disorders, immune deficiency disorders, and HIV infection. The category of immune deficiency disorders excludes HIV.
Autoimmune disorders are caused by dysfunctional immune responses in the body’s own tissues, with result in multisystem impairments that differ in course and outcome. Sometimes, the features of autoimmune disorders in adults differ from the features of those disorders in children.
Immune deficiency disorders are when recurrent infections respond poorly to treatment and are associated with complications that affect many parts of the body. They are classified as either “primary” or “acquired.” People who have these disorders have an increased risk of malignancies.
HIV makes people more susceptible to bad infections, cancers, and other conditions.
If you want to become eligible for social security benefits, you will need to provide your medical history, reports of your physical examinations, a laboratory report of tests, and in some cases, medically accepted imaging or tissue biopsy reports. These will show proof that you have an immune system disorder.
If your specific impairment does not meet the requirements, your medical treatment will be considered in terms of its effectiveness in improving its symptoms. Every effort will be made to obtain a specific description of the treatment you receive for your immune system disorder. This even includes surgery. The following elements are considered:
- Side effects of the medication you take
- The complexity of your treatment–e.g., the dosing schedule
- The treatment’s effect on your mental functioning
- Your response to the treatment
- Cumulative effects of your treatment
- Duration of the treatment
- If the treatment interferes with your ability to function
Your long-term symptoms such as pain and fatigue, may also be contributing factors in determining whether your immune system disorders meet the requirements for benefits. In order for your symptoms to be considered, you need medical signs or lab reports showing your impairments. Also, when the credibility of your symptoms is assessed, no conclusion will be drawn from the fact that you do not currently receive treatment. This includes your explanations as to why you are not receiving treatment.
You can get help for your immune system disorder in several places. You can get lab reports there and get tested for other disorders as well.
