Cellulitis and Social Security Disability Claims
Cellulitis is a potentially dangerous bacterial skin disorder that may cause excessive pain and swelling. It also makes completing different tasks challenging as the condition may limit your movements. And in the worst-case scenario, cellulitis could be life-threatening when it reaches your vital organs.
This condition could thus prevent you from working full-time and earning enough income for your daily expenses.
The good news is that you may claim disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for cellulitis. However, you must remember a few crucial points when claiming disability benefits for this condition.
What Is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis occurs when bacteria manage to break into the skin because of a weak immune system or through a skin opening like a wound. It irritates the skin and causes pain and inflammation. This condition often begins around the feet or leg area but may quickly spread throughout the body when untreated.
Common cellulitis symptoms include:
- Pain, inflammation, and expansion of the irritated skin area
- Warm or hot to the touch
- Fever and chills
- Skin dimpling
- Blisters
Leaving cellulitis untreated may result in life-threatening complications like:
- Bacteremia or the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream
- Endocarditis or inner heart-lining infection
- Osteomyelitis or bone infection
- Toxic shock syndrome or the spread of infection when bacteria releases too many toxins into the body
- Sepsis or the condition when the body harms its tissues as an excessive response to infection
It’s thus crucial to seek immediate treatment to avoid cellulitis complications.
Claiming Disability Benefits for Cellulitis
There are two possible options to take when claiming disability for your cellulitis. Consulting a Glendale Social Security benefits lawyer helps you determine which fits your condition.
1. Qualifying Through Blue Book Listing
The SSA uses the Blue Book as a guide when qualifying different health conditions as disabilities. The thing is that the Blue Book doesn’t have a listing for cellulitis. So, you have to find a listing for a condition that matches your case.
For example, you may refer to listing 8.00 as it covers chronic skin disorders. You may also check listing 4.00 if cellulitis has caused infection in the inner lining of your heart or Endocarditis.
However, always remember it’s better to consult a Social Security benefits attorney to determine the best listing for your condition.
2. Qualifying through Medical-Vocational Allowance
Suppose there is no listing that matches your condition. You may still qualify through the Medical-Vocational Allowance option or by proving you are disabled.
Now, remember that the SSA defines disability as a health condition that:
- Stops you from earning above the Substantial Gainful Activity rate
- Predicted by your doctor to last for at least 12 months or cause your death
The SSA will then submit you for a thorough examination to verify your disability while considering these factors:
- Overall medical condition
- Work experience
- Educational background
- Transferable skills
- Age
For example, the SSA determines you can’t return to your current job as a landscaping professional to avoid further infection. However, if they discovered you previously worked in an office, they might consider you can still work as office staff. So, you are likely to end up with a claim denial.
You may pass the application process if the SSA proves you can’t work full-time upon checking your background.
Hire a Social Security Benefits Attorney in Glendale to Claim Disability for Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a potentially life-threatening condition that could significantly affect your personal and professional life. The thing is that it’s challenging to claim disability benefits for cellulitis as it’s not clear in the Blue Book.
Thankfully, hiring a Glendale Social Security benefits lawyer helps you claim the benefits you deserve while dealing with cellulitis.