Even though you may think that your mixed connective tissue disease is so disabling that you are unable to go to work this does not mean your claim for disability benefits will be approved. If your claim for mixed connective tissue disease was denied, you can file an appeal.
Here are 6 tips you should follow to win your disability appeal with mixed connective disease.
The six tips you should consider following when you lodge an appeal for disability claims for connective tissue disease are as follows:
- 1. Add more medical evidence;
- 2. Provide an hour by hour of daily activities;
- 3. Undergo more tests and provide the test results;
- 4. Include the blue book listing;
- 5. Undertake an RFC.
- 6. Speak to a disability lawyer.
1. Add More Medical Evidence
The sort of medical evidence you can add may include a report compiled by your doctor explaining the debilitating nature of the mixed connective tissue disease. At the medical examination make sure you tell the doctor about your symptoms. These could include any of the following:
- general feeling of sickness, such as extreme fatigue and a mild fever;
- cold and numb fingers or toes;
- swollen fingers or hands;
- muscle and joint pain., which is caused by inflamed, swollen and deformed joints;
- red or reddish-brown patches may appear over the knuckles.
2. Provide an Hour by Hour of Daily Activities
By providing an hour by hour list of your daily activities including what help you have needed to take part in these activities helps to indicate the level of your disability. Many of the symptoms of mixed connective tissue disease may make it difficult to go about your normal life without any help from someone else. Make sure you mention this in your appeal’s letter.
3. Undergo More Tests and Provide the Test Results
Blood tests may be used to measure the amount of inflammation in your body or to check organ function. Blood tests may also be used to check for specific antibodies that are attacking healthy cells by mistake. An x-ray, CT, or MRI may be used to check your joints or organs for damage. A biopsy is a procedure used to take a sample of tissue to be tested.
Also your doctor may look at your medical history and specialized tests like blood tests that reveal abnormally high levels of antibodies to the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP) to determine your mixed connective tissue disease diagnosis.
4. Include the Blue Book Listing
The Blue Book listing states that for mixed connective tissue disease it is diagnosed when the clinical features and blood test results of two or more immune diseases overlap.
It is listed in section 14.06 of the Blue Book, undifferentiated and mixed connective tissue disease. To be approved for benefits for mixed connective tissue disease two or more organs or body systems with one of the organ systems must be affected by the disease to at least a moderate level of severity.
5.Undertaking an RFC
RFC stands for "Residual Functional Capacity" and refers to the maximum you are able to do with the physical/psychological impairment from the liver disease. The Social Security Administration (SSA) assesses RFC capacity case-by-case and only after the examination of all medical records has taken place.
The reason for an RFC is to calculate your present limitations stop you from meeting the physical, sensory, mental, and other requirements of going to work. The RFC questionnaire is typically completed by a DDS (Disability Determination Services) physician. However, if you can get it completed by your own physician instead you may have a better chance of winning your disability appeal.
6.Speak to a Disability Lawyer
Winning a disability benefits appeal is never easy but asking a disability lawyer to represent you at the appeal will give you a greater chance of their being a successful outcome.
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Additional Resources
- How Much Does Disability Pay with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease?
- How To Apply for Disability Benefits with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
- How the Blue Book Can Help with Your Mixed Connective Tissue Disease SSD Claim
- The Social Security Disability Application Process for Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
