Social Security Disability for Marfan Syndrome
If you or someone you care for is unable to work due to Marfan Syndrome read on for how Social Security will evaluate your claim for Social Security Disability.
What is Marfan Syndrome?
According to The Marfan Foundation, Marfan Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissue holds all the body’s cells, organs and tissue together. It also plays an important role in helping the body grow and develop properly. People are born with Marfan Syndrome but the symptoms are not always present immediately. Symptoms can start when a person is very young or when a person is older.
A person with Marfan can be very tall, slender and have extremely long fingers, legs and arms. Connective tissue is the most abundant, widely distributed, and varied type of tissue in the human body. Marfan Syndrome can affect several parts of the body such as the heart, eyes and skeletal system. Symptoms can worsen with age. Via Biology Reference
Will SSA approve me based on Marfan Syndrome?
Simply having a diagnosis of Marfan Syndrome will not guarantee an approval for Social Security Disability benefits. The most important question for people with Marfan or for anyone who is applying for Social Security Disability is: how severe is your illness? SSA defines severe as your illness must “significantly limit your physical or mental abilities to do basic work activities.” This is just one of the steps that Social Security (five step process) uses to determine if you are disabled.
But what exactly does this mean in real terms? In my experience, Marfan Syndrome can and does affect many parts of the body at once and unfortunately, the health problems seem to increase with age. Separately these health problems may not rise to the level of disability but when taken together (as they should be) they can prevent you from working. In addition, a certain symptom from Marfan can be so severe that it will meet a listing. Some relevant listings are 2.02 Loss of visual acuity, 1.04 Disorders of the Spine and 4.10 Aneurysm of aorta or major branches. Please note that the listings are hard to meet but even if you do not meet a listing you can still be found disabled on the Grids or by the combination of your impairments.
Please note that as of April 2, 2021, Listing 1.04 no longer exists and has been replaced with the Listings found here: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/1.00-Musculoskeletal-Adult.htm. After we receive additional guidance from SSA we will alter this post to accommodate for the new listing.
If your Marfan symptoms are severe enough to prevent you from working you should file a claim for Social Security Disability Benefits as soon as possible. The Bishop Law Firm represents Social Security Disability clients in Raleigh, Cary, Durham and surrounding areas in North Carolina. Call us today for a free case evaluation, (919) 615-3095!
Also read Social Security Disability Process
Resources:
- http://www.marfan.org/about/marfan
- http://www.biologyreference.com/Ce-Co/Connective-Tissue.html#ixzz4SZ8mNPRN
- https://www.disabilitylawfirmnc.com/ssa-five-step-evaluation/
- https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/2.00-SpecialSensesandSpeech-Adult.htm#2_02
- https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/1.00-Musculoskeletal-Adult.htm#1_04
- https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/4.00-Cardiovascular-Adult.htm#4_10
- https://www.disabilitylawfirmnc.com/grids-and-your-social-security-disability-case/
