Traverse Myelitis, or TM, is a myelin disorder in which the tissue around nerve cells of the spinal cord become inflamed and eventually degrade. TM results in pain, muscle weakness, and in some cases, severe complications like lack of coordination, incontinence issues, and lower body paralysis.
Some people with TM recover fully after receiving proper treatment, but not all cases can be resolved. For those that suffer from the most severe forms of TM, Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits are often available.
Medically Qualifying with Transverse Myelitis
Social Security uses a manual known as the Blue Book when evaluating disability claims. The manual contains listings for many of the more common disabling conditions, including the medical evidence required for proving disability with each. While there is no dedicated listing for TM, most claims can be matched to the listing for Spinal cord or nerve root lesions in Section 11.08.
If your TM is equivalent to the listing in Section 11.08, the SSA will grant you benefits for equaling the severity level of a listed condition. To match the listing, your medical records must show you either suffer from:
- Speech or communication loss or motor aphasia
- Disorganized or severely limited motor function in two or more extremities that cause major problems in moving, walking, standing, holding yourself upright, or manipulating, grasping, or moving objects.
OR
If your medical records do not match this listing, you can still potentially receive disability benefits by:
- Meeting a listing for a related condition – TM is often seen along with other autoimmune disorders, like lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. There are Blue Book listings for these and other TM-related conditions, so if you suffer from a concurrent autoimmune disease, you may be able to qualify for SSD under the listing for that condition instead.
- Closely matching another listed condition – if you are unable to meet a listing, it is possible you can show your TM “medically equals” the listing for a different condition. For example, the SSA recognizes peripheral neuropathy as a severe disability. If you’re able to prove through medical evidence, physician statements, and other documentation that your TM causes the same severe limitations as peripheral neuropathy, you may be found eligible for SSD
- Qualifying through a residual functional capacity (RFC) analysis – During an RFC analysis the SSA looks at your everyday abilities and limitations. If they find you’re unable to hold a job and earn a gainful living, then you’ll be granted benefits, even without meeting or matching a listing in the Blue Book.
It is important to keep in mind that the SSA will consider the affects of all your medical conditions when determining your eligibility, particularly during an RFC analysis. If you have multiple, chronic ailments you content with, ensure your medical records thoroughly document the affects of each.
Getting Help with Your Transverse Myelitis Claim
While the SSA has standard processes for reviewing and approving claims, having the assistance of someone more familiar with the system can help, especially when applying for SSD with a condition for which there is no dedicated Blue Book listing. A Social Security advocate or disability attorney can help you navigate the application and review processes and can assist if you are denied benefits and need to file an appeal.
Submitting your application is a long and involved process. It requires substantial documentation and a lot of details. You can file online via the SSA’s website or you can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment to file your application at your local SSA office. Either way, ensure you thoroughly complete the application and provide the SSA copies of as many of your medical records as possible.
