Dysautonomia is a broad term used to describe any disorder of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls the organs and bodily functions such as heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, and digestion. Examples of autonomic nervous system disorders include:
- Orthostatic hypertension
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
- Multiple system atrophy (MSA)
- Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH)
- Pure autonomic failure (PAF)
These disorders can affect many different body systems, and therefore result in a diverse range of symptoms, including:
- Digestive problems
- Nerve and muscle pain
- Fainting
- Sleep disorders
- Fatigue
- And many more
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits for Dysautonomia
Some people who suffer from dysautonomia experience mild symptoms, while others are not quite so fortunate. Depending upon the type of autonomic nervous system disorder you have and the severity of your symptoms, you may find it very difficult to work.
If your symptoms are severe you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
Meeting the SSD Blue Book Requirements for Approval with Dysautonomia
Your specific disorder might not be listed in the SSD blue book, but the symptoms you experience may meet the requirements of a different blue book listing. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may qualify for disability benefits:
- Significant difficulty standing, sitting, or walking for extended periods of time
- Trouble lifting, pushing, grasping, or raising your arms above your head
- Chronic pain that makes it difficult for you to focus or causes you to miss significant amounts of work
Additionally, if any of your symptoms make it dangerous for you to work, you may also qualify for benefits. For example, some of the specific dysautonomic disorders cause a significant risk of fainting, which would make working at many types of jobs very hazardous.
Medical Evidence to Provide When Applying for Social Security Disability
You will need to provide thorough documentation that demonstrates the severity of the symptoms that limit your ability to work. This will largely depend on the type of disorder you have, but can include:
- Lab reports and medical imaging results (X-rays, CT scans, etc.)
- Letters from your physicians detailing the severity of your symptoms and your physical limitations
- History of treatments and medications prescribed, and your response to these treatments
- Summary of past hospitalizations related to your disorder
The Importance of Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney
There are a large number of people who suffer from dysautonomia and many of them have very controllable symptoms. This makes it especially difficult for those who suffer from severe and limiting symptoms to prove that their disorders are not quite as manageable. If you need to prove that your condition makes it difficult or impossible for you to work, it is strongly recommended that you enlist the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability attorney who can help you put together a very strong application.
