Is Grave’s Disease Considered a Disability?

It is difficult to win a case against Social Security Disability Benefits when you are suffering from Grave’s disease alone. However, if there are additional factors, it is feasible for you to win a case.

What is Grave’s disease?

You can refer the illness as the endocrine disorder where the thyroid glands produce an excess of hormones than the body requires. The reason is due to the presence of antibodies that mimic thyroid-stimulating hormones, which send a false signal to the glands for the production of hormones. The disorder is the standard form of hypothyroidism. Also, the illness is autoimmune to a few types of viruses, as it occurs without notice and in later stages of life. When compared with men, women have a higher risk of getting the Grave’s disease.

Is Grave’s Disease Considered a Disability?

Is Grave’s Disease Considered a Disability?

Is it possible to qualify for disability? According to the guidelines of Social Security Administration, there is no particular listing that helps a patient suffering from Grave’s disease to benefit from the disability program. It is possible for a patient suffering from the illness to receive treatment and cure the same without the necessity to quit the work. However, a few patients have a tough time dealing with the disease. The reason is due to endocrine orbitopathy. The symptom caused due to Graves’ disease leads to tearing, bulging eyes, and visual limitations. The sign is also responsible for creating anxiousness and depression in a few patients because of the cosmetic disfigurement.

As there is no specific disability listing from Social Security Administration, it is difficult to win a case or receive a benefit if you are suffering from Graves’ disease alone.

However, you have an opportunity to receive benefits in the form of medical-vocational allowance. Nonetheless, Social Security Administration assesses the condition of the patient if he or she is suffering from other complications that have relation to the Grave’s disease. For instance, it is possible for Graves’ disease to increase the heart rate, which leads to cardiovascular problems. Therefore, the SSA evaluates the case of the patient under the cardiovascular listings, where the patient receives benefit depending on the condition.

In another example, it is possible for the social security administration to consider the case of a patient suffering from Graves’ disease to receive the benefit when one suffers from the risk of strokes. In such cases, the SSA evaluates the case using the listings available for central nervous system or cerebrovascular disease. If the subject is suffering from distress or anxiety caused due to the Graves’ disease, then the SSA will evaluate under the mental disorder listing.

Therefore, depending on the complications that the patient suffers along with Graves’ disease entitles him or her to qualify for the benefits provided by Social Security Administration.

Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Treatment

It is possible to treat Graves’ disease if you are capable of detecting it in the initial stage. It is likely to recognize the presence of Graves’ disease by carrying out a blood test that helps in revealing the hormone levels.

Symptoms of Graves’ disease include bulging eyes, increased heartbeat, enlargement of thyroid gland, a skin condition that causes rashes, nausea, irregular bowel movement, and hand tremors.

Treating Graves’ disease is possible by using antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine therapy, and surgery. Doctors often begin the treatment using antithyroid medicines. However, many choose to opt for radioactive iodine therapy because of the advantages it provides when compared with that of the antithyroid drug treatment. It is in rare cases that doctors opt for a surgery to remove the thyroid, which is responsible for the excessive production of the hormones.

Conclusion

There is a possibility for approval if the applicant shows additional complications developed due to the disease such as visual impairment and cardiovascular damage. It is better to get in touch with a disability lawyer for better results.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:June 14, 2021

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