Behcet’s syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder causing damage or inflammation to your blood vessels. This condition is a form of vasculitis. There are many rare conditions that fall under the umbrella of vasculitis in terms of inflammation of blood vessels. Behcet’s syndrome stands out mainly because of the unique symptoms it causes.
Symptoms of Behcet’s Syndrome
The most typical symptoms of Behcet’s syndrome, and really the main way the condition is diagnosed, is through mouth sores or rashes. Oral ulcerations tend to be the earliest symptom of this condition, and because of their unique nature, are the easiest way to diagnose Behcet’s syndrome. Generally, if you experience mouth sores three times in twelve months, that is a good indication of Behcet’s syndrome. Mouth ulcers can be somewhat similar to a normal mouth sore, but what makes them unique is a large number of ulcers, along with significant pain. You may also experience skin rashes or even open sores on your skin. It is important to keep those areas clean so they do not become infected.
Of course, there are other symptoms associated with this autoimmune disorder. These symptoms may include:
- eye pain and blurry vision
- skin lesions
- headaches
- joint pain
- difficulty breathing
- and abdominal pain.
Behcet’s syndrome may also cause inflammation in the eyes, typically called uveitis. This eye condition is extremely painful, resulting in blurry vision, light sensitivity and pain. Uveitis is typically treated with medications, and in the most severe cases, the individual will undergo injections. If left untreated, it may cause permanent vision loss. As with most autoimmune disorders, this condition may cause significant joint pain and swelling. Suffering from joint pain alone will be hard to diagnose the condition, as joint pain and swelling is a common symptom of a multitude of conditions. But coupled with mouth sores, there is a clear indication of Behcet’s syndrome.
Other Difficulties Related to Behcet’s Syndrome
Behcet’s syndrome may also cause difficulty with the lungs. Inflamed blood vessels in the lungs may lead to aneurysms, which if ruptured could cause major organ failure of the lungs. This condition may also affect the central nervous system, causing headaches, dementia or even strokes. This would occur if the condition is affecting the white matter portion of your brain which is generally seen on an MRI. Finally, ulcers may occur in the digestive tract leading to problems with inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease.
Behcet’s Syndrome Treatments
Treatment of this condition will depend upon the severity of your symptoms. If your symptoms are mild, then likely no treatment will be recommended. If you are suffering from moderate to severe symptoms, you will likely be prescribed corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to help control the inflammation. The most severe cases are potentially life-threatening, with approximately 5% of those diagnosed passing away from the disorder. The most severe cases will likely experience episodes of flare-ups or relapses, similar to multiple sclerosis.
Behcet’s Syndrome and the Social Security Disability Program
While this condition is quite rare, it does affect a number of Americans. If you are suffering from Behcet’s syndrome and your symptoms are severe enough that they are affecting your ability to work, applying for the social security disability program may be right for you. It is likely you have been suffering from this condition for a long time. You may have even made accommodations for yourself to be able to work, such as only working on a part-time basis. You should know, even if you are working part-time, you may be eligible for social security disability benefits. This would depend upon the amount you are earning in gross every month. If that amount is less than substantial gainful activity, or in 2020 $1,260 per month, you are technically able to apply for the disability program.
Applying for social security disability benefits sounds like it should be easy. You submit your claim for benefits, social security pulls your medical records, evaluates your case and then finds you disabled. Sounds easy, right? Of course, as with most government agencies, things are not always as easy as they are supposed to be. One common difficulty with these types of claims is the time it takes to process an application. Generally, when you submit a claim to the social security administration for disability benefits, the analysis may take several months. This is because of the numerous steps your case needs to go through in the evaluation.
How It Works
First, the social security administration will make sure you meet the technical requirements of the program. To qualify for social security disability benefits, you must have paid taxes into the social security system. The social security disability program is a federally mandated or run insurance program. This program was set in place as a safety net for working individuals in the event an unforeseen condition impacts their ability to work. All Americans who work pay taxes on their income. Part of those taxes go towards the social security administration, which is broken down into retirement, disability and Medicare benefits. To qualify for the disability program, you must have paid taxes on your earnings for the past five out of ten years. This program is different from the retirement program in that with retirement, what you pay in you will automatically get out once you reach a certain age. For disability, you have to have paid a threshold amount in taxes, and paid those taxes recently enough to still have the insurance coverage. Your disability insurance does not stay with you forever. It will expire after a certain point. This means it is very important to get your application or claim for disability benefits in as soon as possible, so as not to miss out on your insurance coverage.
The second thing the social security administration will do is to collect and evaluate your medical records. This tends to be the most time-consuming as it takes time to obtain your medical records. It also takes time to have your records reviewed to determine how your condition impacts your ability to work. There are ways to speed up this process, such as obtaining your own medical records, receiving statements from your medical providers, and even filling out forms in a timely manner.
LaBovick Law Group Can Help
Applying for disability benefits is anything but easy. At the LaBovick Law Group, we make the process as easy as possible for our clients, without charging any upfront costs. We only get paid if you get paid. Call us at the LaBovick Law Group today for a free consultation.
