Get Social Security Disability & SSI Benefits: Scleroderma

Winning Your Case

You or your child will win a scleroderma Social Security disability or SSI benefits case when you satisfy Non-Medical Criteria and Disability Criteria. In terms of the disability criteria, you need to understand how Social Security evaluates scleroderma (covered on this page), and you need to Submit Winning Evidence.

Scleroderma, Your Medical Evidence, And How Social Security Sees It

Scleroderma (sclerosis) is an autoimmune skin disease (the body attacks its own tissues) The body produces excessive collagen causing thickening and hardening of the skin, connective tissue (e.g. ligaments, tendons, and cartilage), bone, and sometimes internal organs. Social Security grasps that common scleroderma symptoms include –

1. Calcium deposits (bumps) on the joints,
2. Tissue swelling,
3. Pain,
4. Numbness, and
5. Reduced range of motion.

Winning a disability claim starts with your scleroderma diagnosis. However, this is a challenge for scleroderma suffers because there is no specific test to diagnose scleroderma. It is diagnosed with a combination of tests: blood test for antibodies, clinical exam (a physician looks at you), and perhaps x-rays or CTs for possible bone abnormalities, and also perhaps ultrasounds or MRIs for possible tissue abnormalities. The cause of scleroderma is unknown, and there is no cure. It can be fatal.

Social Security will be looking very closely at your scleroderma treatment records which is, unfortunately, primarily limited to medications:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
2. Immunosuppressives (e.g., methotrexate),
3. Vasodilators (opens blood vessels), and
4. Anti-fibrotic medications (e.g., colchicine) that reduce collagen production.

Tip. If you have bumps on your joints or tissue swelling that can be seen with the eye, you should submit photographs to Social Security – Pictures In A Disability Case: What Social Security Looks For.

Scleroderma: The Social Security & SSI Listing

The Adult Listing 14.04 requires you meet points 1, 2, 3, or 4. The Child Listing 114.04 requires you meet points 1, 2, or 3. Both are as follows:

1. Two or more organs or body systems with –
   1. An effect of moderate severity or more, and
   2. Two or more of serious exhaustion, high body temperture, general unhealthiness, or weight loss;
2. One of –
   1. A deformity of the toes or one or more feet with problems walking,
   2. A deformity of the finger or both hands with manipulation problems,
   3. Severe harm in either lower extremity with problems walking, or
   4. Severe harm in both upper extremities with manipulation problems;
3. You are diagnosed with Raynaud’s and have one of –
   1. Gangrene on two or more upper or lower extremities, or
   2. Reduced blood flow to your toes or fingers causing sores and a serious curtailment of walking or manipulation; or
4. Severe symptomatology that causes a significantly reduced ability to carry out regular aspects of life.

If your scleroderma causes other medical conditions, you should read about those conditions too. As well, additional listings may be relevant such as: 1) respiratory – 3.00 & 103.00, cardiac – 4.00 & 104.00, and neurological – 11.0 & 111.00.