Chronic Granulocytopenia Overview & Social Security Benefits
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This medical issue occurs when the quantity of white blood cells, commonly known as granulocytes, decreases. Granulocytes appear covered with granules when viewed under a microscope. Agranulocytosis is a term that refers to the absence of granulocytes in your white blood cells.
There are three distinct types of white blood cells:
- Basophiles – this is an incredibly rare type of white blood cell that accounts for less than 1% of all white blood cells in the body. These substances elicit inflammatory reactions.
- Neutrophils — one of the most prevalent forms of white blood cells, neutrophils are employed to fight disease by digesting foreign cells that the body recognizes as a threat.
- Eosinophils – this type of white blood cell is involved in immune system reactions and increases in number after an allergic reaction.
Granulocytopenia can afflict anyone regardless of age, color, or gender, but appears to be more prevalent in Yemenite Jews and African-Americans.
Due to the fact that granulocytopenia affects your white blood cells, those who have this medical condition are typically at an increased risk of infection. Several of the symptoms include the following:
- Having persistent or chronic infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. These infections can damage the lungs, throat, and skin, among other organs.
- Having a little fever
- Persistent gum pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Abscesses on the skin
- Cervical glands swollen
- Infections of the ear and sinus
- Bronchitis or pneumonitis
If granulocytopenia is severe, a person may exhibit the following symptoms. - Enlarged spleens.
- Display reddish-purple blotches on your body, a condition known as petechial bleeding.
Numerous factors can prevent this type of white blood cell from surviving or growing. Several reasons or causes of granulocytopenia include the following:
- Certain autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease.
- Infections or autoimmune illnesses that cause a decrease in the granulocyte count as white blood cells travel to tissues after leaving the circulating blood and are attacked by bacteria or other pathogens.
- Medical treatment involves medicine, including steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Certain drugs, such as antihypertensive, cardiac, or antibacterial treatments, may decrease granulocyte numbers.
- It could be inherited.
- Any medical condition that impairs the bone marrow’s ability to create new cells to replace aging white blood cells. Several of these illnesses cause bone marrow tumors or fibrosis, as well as leukemia.
- Experiencing a serious injury that results in hemorrhage and shock, naturally lowering the granulocyte count.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy both have the potential to impair the generation of new white blood cells and to destroy mature healthy white blood cells.
Applying for Disability Benefits While Suffering from Chronic Granulocytopenia Diagnosis
Chronic granulocytopenia meets the Social Security Administration’s criteria for inclusion in the Blue Book. Section 7.15 contains the listing. You are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income if you match the stipulated criteria for the condition. These criteria include the following:
Numerous neutrophil counts (neutrophils are the most prevalent type of granulocyte) less than 1,000 cells per cubic millimeter.
Repeated infections. Before you may be accepted for disability benefits, you must have experienced at least three bacterial illnesses in the preceding five months.
You will require comprehensive medical paperwork that includes your diagnosis and the results of many laboratory tests. You should remain under a physician’s treatment while applying for Social Security Disability benefits, as this provides proof of your condition.
Provided you have granulocytopenia but it is not severe enough to meet the listing criteria, you may still be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if you meet the following criteria; symptoms of your condition significantly impair your ability to continue working. Proving that you are disabled to the point where you are unable to perform meaningful work can be difficult, but the majority of approved claims are accepted by demonstrating that your functional capacity has been impaired to the point where you cannot be expected to continue working.
You’ll want to ensure that your doctor completes all Social Security Disability papers accurately regarding how your disease affects your ability to do daily activities, including any restrictions on your ability to be around specific substances or individuals. Frequently, doctors will complete medical reports using medical jargon that has little or no relevance to your disability claim. If you engage with a disability lawyer, they can assist you in ensuring that your doctor’s reports contain the information the SSA need to validate your claim.
Your Disability Case for Chronic Granulocytopenia
Every disability applicant with persistent granulocytopenia should have two items. The first is a competent physician with experience treating immunodeficiency problems. Another would be contacting an social security disability attorney who understands how to submit your claim to the Social Security Administration in the most favorable light possible.
Studies consistently demonstrate that if you are represented by qualified legal counsel, your odds of having your claim subsequently approved increase considerably. While more than two-thirds of first claims are dismissed, those submitted by an attorney have a 50% probability of being approved. The contrasts become even more pronounced during the appeals process.
Nearly 90% of all Social Security Disability applications are ultimately granted when represented by a Social Security Disability attorney or advocate. Fill out your request for a free review by a disability attorney today, before proceeding further in the disability claims or appeals process.