EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME & DISABILITY BENEFITS

WHAT IS EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME (EDS)?

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of more than one genetic condition. These conditions affect the connective tissues in your body. Because there are different forms of the syndrome, symptoms differ for each person. If you need SSDI benefits due to your EDS, then contact our law firm today.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is not an autoimmune disorder, like Lupus. Read about Lupus. Instead, because EDS impairs your collagen, it affects your skin, blood vessel walls, and joints. It can make your joints hypermobile. That means that your joints are overly flexible. For example, your wrists, shoulders or elbows may pop out of joint or become dislocated. It also means your joints move beyond their normal range of motion.

Another problem caused by Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is early degenerative arthritis. EDS can cause joint arthritis and pain. Additionally, it causes fragile skin and it can also cause scoliosis or curvature of the spine.

Patients are born with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. However, it may not become an issue until later in life. Sometimes, a diagnosis isn’t made until adulthood. EDS occurs in approximately 1 in 5,000 individuals worldwide.

TESTING FOR HYPERMOBILITY OF THE JOINTS

There is a test that doctors use to determine if you have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The test is the Beighton score. It aids doctors when they are trying to diagnose the hypermobility from Ehlers-Danlos. It is a set of simple tests for joint hypermobility that includes:

• Passive dorsiflexion and hyperextension of the fifth MCP joint (little finger) beyond 90 degrees;
• Passive apposition of the thumb (when bent backward) to the flexor aspect of the forearm;
• Passive hyperextension of the elbow that bends backwards beyond 10 degrees;
• Passive hyperextension of the knee beyond 10 degrees;
• Forward flexion of the trunk with the knees fully extended with the palm of the hands resting flat on the floor.

If your joints can move in this abnormal fashion, then you have hypermobility of the joints. This may be a sign of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. In order to determine if you have the condition, you must obtain a diagnosis from a doctor. Ask you doctor to perform the Beighton score test. Additionally, in order to be eligible for SSD benefits, you must have other severe EDS symptoms. Those symptoms must prevent you from working for over one year.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN  VASCULAR EHLERS-DANLOS AND EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME?

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos is another form of EDS, which fortunately is relatively rare. In the case of vascular EDS, there is an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, resulting from mutations in the COL3A1 gene. The vascular type of EDS  shortens your life-span. Most people with this form of the disease live to be 48 years old. Death usually occurs from rupture of blood vessels, the intestines, or the uterus.

Vascular EDS has different symptoms than other types of EDS. People with vascular EDS have distinct facial features. For example, they usually have thin upper lips. They also have a thin nose and small earlobes. Also, they can have prominent eyes. Additionally, they have fragile skin. Blood vessels are noticeable through the skin of those who suffer from vascular EDS.

Vascular EDS weakness the body’s arteries and the aorta.  The aorta is the largest artery in your heart. Additionally, the blood vessels in your organs, such as your intestine or heart are weakened by the disease.

Vascular EDS symptoms become worse over time. Some of the possible problems from the condition include rupturing of the aorta or rupturing of other organs, such as the arteries of the uterus. This kind of rupture can cause you to die from blood loss.

EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME & WINNING SSD BENEFITS

To receive SSD and SSI benefits, a person must meet SSA’s rules. You only qualify for SSD benefits, if your Ehlers-Danlos syndrome results in a severe medical condition that will last one year. Likewise, you also are disabled if your condition will result in death. Additionally, after you apply for benefits you may also qualify for back due or past due SSD benefits.

Because the SSA’s definitions are so strict, those who receive benefits are severely disabled. In fact, those receiving disability benefits are three times more likely to die in a given year as other people the same age.

At 55, if you start receiving SSD benefits, then your chances of dying within five years from the onset of your disability is high. Depending on your gender, 1 in 6 men die after receiving disability benefits. Similarly, 1-in-8 women die within five years of the onset of their disability. This shows you the severity of the medical conditions for which most people obtain benefits.

The truth is that 1 in 4 people in the US becomes disabled before reaching retirement age. If this happens, then you are entitled to SSD benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits.

SSD BENEFITS FOR EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME

To receive disability benefits, a person must meet SSA’s definition of disability. You only qualify for SSD benefits, if your EDS results in a severe medical condition that keep you from working for more than one year. Likewise, you also receive benefits if your condition will result in death. Additionally, after you apply for benefits you may also qualify for back due or past due SSD benefits.

Because the SSA’s definition of disability is so strict, those who receive benefits have the most severe medical conditions in the country. In fact, those receiving SSD benefits are more than three times as likely to die in a given year as other people of the same age.

The truth is that 1 in 4 people in the US become disabled before reaching retirement age. If this happens, then you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if you have worked and paid your taxes. Your monthly SSD benefit amount is based upon your earnings. Therefore, the monthly SSD payment is a different amount for every person.

In 2024, the average monthly SSD payment is around $1,400. However, most people receive less money than that per month. Many law firms claim that you can win more than $3000 a month in benefits. This is not correct.

Only 10% of SSD recipients receive more than $2,000 in monthly benefits. If you have a family, you receive additional SSD benefits. For example, in 2024 the average monthly benefit for an SSD benefit recipient who has a spouse and children is $2,500 per month.

SSI BENEFITS FOR EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME

Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits are different than Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits. SSI benefits are a “supplement” to SSD benefits. They are paid to you if your monthly SSD benefit is a low amount of money. This means below the monthly SSI amount in your state.

It is also a benefit you can receive if you have never had a job or even if you have only worked for a short period of time. In order to win SSI benefits you must meet the disability requirements. SSI benefits also come with Medicaid. Also, find out about garnishment of SSI benefits.

However, you must also qualify financially by not having significant assets (a cabin, a boat) or money (more than $2000 saved in the bank). The financial asset rules that govern SSI are complex. Therefore, you may need the legal help of an SSI benefits attorney to figure out if you qualify. Our office is in Salt Lake City, but our attorneys can help you wherever you live.

Many parents wish to qualify for SSI benefits simply to obtain Medicaid benefits. This makes sense considering that medical bills cost so much. Unfortunately, in order to qualify for Medicaid you usually must also qualify for SSI benefits.

This is not necessarily true in all circumstances, so make sure that you check with Medicaid. However, if you qualify for even one dollar of SSI benefits, then you qualify for Medicaid benefits as well. Get information about Medicaid benefits.

YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR BOTH SSI AND SSD PAYMENTS FOR YOU EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME

It is possible to receive both Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplement Security Income (SSI) benefits. This is known as winning concurrent benefits.

If your SSD benefits are less than the SSI benefit amount, then you might also receive SSI benefits. Let’s look at an example. Assume you qualify for benefits due to your medical condition. If your SSD benefits are $300 a month (a relatively low amount), then SSI kicks in to bring you to your state SSI level.

In Utah, the 2024 SSI amount is $943 per month for an individual. Therefore, using our example, if you receive $300 in SSD, you could also receive $643 in SSI benefits. However, to be paid SSI benefits, you must still meet the income and asset rules of the benefit.

Together, the two benefits, can bring you to a higher monthly benefit amount than one benefit alone. However, in order to win SSI, you must have a severe medical condition and be unable to work for 12 months or longer. Additionally, you must meet SSA’s income and asset rules. Learn about both SSI and SSD benefits.

You may also qualify for SSI if you have worked, but have earned a low income. For example, perhaps you work at a job with low wages and you rely on tips. Likewise, maybe you are a waiter or an airport baggage handler. These jobs may have a low wage, but because you pay taxes you still qualify for benefits.

DOES EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME MEET AN SSA LISTING?

To meet a listing, you must show that you have a severe medical condition under SSA’s Blue Book rules. To “meet” a listing under the rules, your condition must have all of the requirements.

Unfortunately, there is not a specific listing for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Rather, you can meet a listing for another medical condition that you have due to the syndrome. Below are some of the possible rules that may be met by those with EDS.

• Listing 1.18 – Abnormality of a major joints in any extremity
• Listing 2.02 / 2.04 – Vision loss
• Listing 4.10 – Aneurysm of the aorta
• Listing 5.02 – Gastrointestinal bleeding requiring a blood transfusion, and
• Listing 8.04 – Chronic infections of the skin.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome does not have its own listing. Therefore, the SSA requires evaluation under the closest listing. Listings such as those for Lupus, Arthritis, Systemic Vasculitis, or Connective Tissue Disease are found under SSA listing 14.00. The SSA states that these particular listings do not apply to EDS, because EDS is a genetic disorder and the others are immune disorders.

The Social Security rules explain, “Although Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan’s syndrome are connective tissue disorders, they are not immune disorders, but genetic disorders.” Therefore, EDS is not part of the  immune system listing. Instead, EDS is looked at under the listing for the affected body system. For example, if you have heart symptoms, then the SSA uses the heart failure listing.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOUR EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME CASE?

You do not have to obtain SSD and SSI benefits for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome on your own. Our law firm can help file your SSD application. Also, we can help you through the stages of appeal during the SSA process. That way, you can focus on your health and the changes EDS is causing in your life. Our attorneys and staff can:

• Send you the paperwork to become our client and help you fill it out
• Help you file your application for SSD and SSI benefits
• Request an appeal if you receive an initial denial from DDS
• Confirm your attendance at the SSA doctor exam
• Request a Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
• Prepare you to testify at your SSA hearing
• Represent you at your hearing and question the expert witnesses
• Read about job experts at your hearing
• Learn about medical expert testimony
• Request review of an decision with the Appeals Council
• Request review of an Appeals Council denial in Federal Court

If you file your application for SSDI and SSI benefits online at Social Security’s website, then you only have 6 months to complete the application. Additionally, once you receive a denial from the SSA, you only have 60 days to file an appeal of the SSA’s decision. You must not fail to meet the deadlines set by the SSA.

EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME & RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY

Even if you do not meet SSA’s listing, you can still win benefits. However, you must not be able to work due to your severe EDS symptoms for over one year. The SSA looks to your severe symptoms and determines your residual functional capacity (RFC). If you RFC is limited, then your RFC can prevent you from working.

The SSA determines your RFC by reading your medical records and asking you questions. For example, the SSA will look at how your symptoms are impacting your ability to do everyday tasks, such as sit, stand, and walk. They will also look at your fatigue and determine if you need to lay down during the workday.

Additionally, the SSA will decide whether or not your Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is impacting your mental health. For example, does your pain impair your ability to concentrate. Or, if you have had a stroke, are you struggling to communicate? The SSA develops a RFC assessment to determine if you can work. Find out about your Residual Functional Capacity assessment.

WE WORK FOR FREE UNTIL YOU WIN BENEFITS 

If you are seeking Social Security Disability benefits for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, then you should hire an attorney. An attorney can help you apply for SSD benefits.

Studies show that you are three times more likely to win benefits if you hire an attorney. Additionally, an attorney will know the medical symptoms to prove you deserve SSD benefits for your EDS.

In order to hire us, all you need to do is call us or contact us. We offer a free review of your case over the phone. And, it doesn’t cost anything to call us.

Better yet, it also doesn’t cost you any upfront money to hire us. Why? Because you only pay us an attorney fee if we win your case. This means if we win your SSD case, then you pay the attorney fee out of your back benefits. If you do not win, there is no attorney fee to pay.

The attorney fee has a cap or a limit. The SSA sets the limit of the attorney fee at 25% of the back benefit or the maximum attorney fee cap, whatever is less.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF YOUR SSD CASE?

The costs of a claim for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is the same as in any other kind of SSDI or SSI case. If there are costs in your case, then you pay them. But usually those costs are less than $100. The costs in your case will usually be the cost of getting your medical records. We try to keep your costs to a minimum.

Once we win your case, the payment of your attorney fee comes from your back benefit. This is unusual, because to hire most lawyers, you have to pay the attorney fee upfront. We don’t work like that.

You don’t have a job. So, the only way to pay us, is for us to win your case. That is our goal. We will also try to win your past due SSD benefits. Likewise, if you have a prior application to reopen, we will do that too. Call today. See what we can do for you.

Additionally, we represent clients in many states. For example, we have clients in Nevada, Utah, and Idaho. Learn about Idaho SSDI benefits. We also represent clients in Colorado and California. Find out about Nevada SSDI and SSI benefits.

Learn about Utah SSD benefits. Additionally, we have information about California SSD benefits.

No matter where you live, we will answer your questions about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and your Social Security benefits. We want to be your legal team. If you have questions about benefits, then give us a call today.

THE ATTORNEYS AT OUR SOCIAL SECURITY LAW FIRM

You are seeking an attorney to represent you in your Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome case. You need a lawyer you can trust. If you want to learn more about the lawyers and staff at our law firm, then read About Us. There you will learn more information about our attorneys and our staff. For example, Andria Summers can help you with your Medicare plan. Likewise, she has also won thousands of SSD and SSI cases.

Dianna Cannon has many years of legal experience helping her clients win SSD benefits. She has been an attorney for thirty years. Ms. Cannon also has licenses in a number of states. For example, she has licenses in California, Utah, Nevada, and Washington State. Learn information about filing for SSD benefits in California. Likewise, you can learn information about Nevada SSD benefits.

Additionally, Brett Bunkall has experience helping people obtain their SSI and SSD benefits. He has won thousands of Social Security hearings. Mr. Bunkall is an expert. He has a license from the Idaho State Bar Association to practice law. Find out more about SSDI benefits in Idaho. All of our attorneys are Social Security law experts. You can trust us to help you receive SSD benefits for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

WE CAN HELP YOU WIN BENEFITS FOR EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME

There are many important issues that play a role in whether you receive benefits for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. You need a lawyer who understands those issues. Also, you need a lawyer who has experience dealing with the SSA.

Our law firm wants to help you win benefits. Hire us for our experience. Over the last 30 years, we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI claims. It isn’t an easy task to win. But, we will help you succeed. We also have the experience to win your Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome case.

Another important factor to consider when hiring an attorney is cost. Our legal services are affordable. Because, you do not pay an attorney fee until we win your case. If we win, then the attorney fee comes out of your back benefit. If we do not win your case, then there is no attorney fee for you to pay.

Contact us today. Take advantage of our offer of a free review of your case. If you call, then we can answer your questions. Remember, we are experts in SSI and SSD benefits. And, we will do our best to win your benefits. Call today.

When you call, tell us what symptoms you are experiencing from EDS. Also, be ready to tell us about your doctors. We also want to know if you are getting treatment for mental conditions, like anxiety. Find out now if we can help you obtain SSD benefits for your Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Contact us for your free review.