Did you know that April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month? This disease attacks a victim’s immune system and creates patterns of inflammation that can affect internal organs, causing serious issues with his or her lungs and/or skin.
If a person suffers an inflammatory reaction due to a trigger, it can continue to attack his or her body for several months and require long-term medical interventions. Some victims have symptoms that mask those of tuberculosis (TB). In addition to causing organ inflammation, the disease can cause irritation to a victim’s eyes and/or lymph nodes.
In the U.S., the disease is most common among people of Northern European or African/African American ancestry, between the ages of 20 and 29. It is estimated that between 20,000 and 200,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year in the U.S. Unfortunately, the cause for the disease is unknown, and there is no cure.
One famous person who brought awareness to the disease was comedian Bernie Mac, who suffered with sarcoidosis prior to his death in 2008. Mac experienced significant issues with inflammation in his lungs, which caused him to go into cardiac arrest. In his honor, his family helped established the Bernie Mac Foundation, which teams with the Respiratory Health Association, the American Lung Association and the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research to raise awareness about the disease.
Sarcoidosis and Social Security Disability
Sadly, the Social Security Administration does not have a specific listing for sarcoidosis for those looking to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Nevertheless, people who suffer from issues including vision loss, lung infections and chronic pulmonary insufficiency are often able to obtain benefits if they can prove that their condition leaves them unable to work and is expected to last longer than a year.
If you have questions about benefits, you can visit our Social Security FAQ page. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis—if you have a disease that leaves you unable to work, it will not cost you money upfront to pursue benefits and you will not have to pay anything if we are not successful with your claim.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security disability lawyers
