Impairments That Affect Multiple Body Systems and Social Security Disability
The Social Security Administration (SSA) classifies certain disorders and illnesses as affecting multiple body systems. SSA uses a listing of disabling conditions called the Blue Book. In that listing, both congenital and adult disorders affect multiple body systems.
For congenital multisystem disorders, the SSA considers Non-Mosaic Down Syndrome as a disability. Roughly 98 percent of children have the non-mosaic genetic Down Syndrome variety, characterized by three copies of the 21st chromosome (called trisomy 21) present in all cells. The other 2 percent have an extra 21st chromosome attached to a different chromosome (called 21 translocations). Down Syndrome is characterized by delayed physical development, characteristic facial features, and intellectual impairment. Down Syndrome children typically have other medical issues as well, such as hearing and vision problems and heart disease.
Under the Blue Book, SSA considers Down Syndrome an impairment since birth. To qualify for Social Security disability, provide SSA with a genetic karyotype analysis lab report confirming the existence of the trisomy 21. After that, the process is relatively straightforward; since it is a congenital defect, your approval is usually fast-tracked.
SSA also considers “catastrophic congenital disorders” under this listing. They consider illnesses in which death is expected within the first few months or conditions in which the child lives but there is very serious developmental body impairment. To qualify under this listing, your doctor can provide detailed records as to the extent and severity of the impairment.
If you are an adult, but you don’t have Down Syndrome, yet you have another multiple system impairments, SSA will first determine whether you meet the disability listing under one of their single body system disorders
- Musculoskeletal
- Speech and Special Senses
- Respiratory
- Cardiovascular System
- Digestive System
- Genitourinary
- Hematological
- Skin Disorders
- Endocrine
- Neurological
- Mental Disorders
- Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)
- Immune System Disorders
SSA will try to classify you into one of the above categories, but if you don’t fit a single category, yet still have a multiple body system impairment, there is a way to qualify. In these cases, SSA will consider several factors.
First, SSA will evaluate your multiple system disorders and determine whether the sum of those disorders is equivalent to a single disorder in one of the above Blue Book listings.
Perhaps you don’t meet any of these Blue Book listings. It is still possible to obtain benefits if you have compelling evidence that your multiple system disabilities are severe enough to prevent you from working.
Here Are Some Examples of Multiple System Disorders That SSA Does Consider and Provide Social Security Disability Benefits For:
- Caudal Regression Syndrome- a disorder that impairs the development of the lower half of the body.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – a group of connective tissue disorders that are genetic and characterized by unstable and hypermobile joints and fragile tissues.
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – birth defects by a pregnant woman’s consumption of alcohol that affects the fetus.
- Fragile X Syndrome- also known as Martin Bell syndrome or Escalante syndrome, is an inherited genetic disorder with distinct physical features (long, narrow face, large ears, and flexible fingers), delayed speech, and intellectual and body impairments.
- Phenylketonuria (PKU) – an inherited disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine, which causes intellectual disability and other serious health problems.
- Reye’s Syndrome- a deadly disease that affects all body organs, particularly the brain and liver; its cause is unknown but is thought to be linked to aspirin use. The person always has an infection or virus which develops into Reye’s.
