Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Social Security Disability Benefits
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Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Social Security Disability Benefits
Imagine waking up each morning not knowing whether your body will cooperate. Some days, your joints ache as if you’ve run a marathon. Other days, your lungs feel tight, or your hands swell and stiffen. For people living with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD), this uncertainty is part of daily life.
MCTD is a rare autoimmune disorder that blends features of lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis. Because it overlaps with multiple conditions, it can be difficult to diagnose — and even harder to explain to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Yet for many Americans, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Social Security Disability makes steady employment impossible.
At MLF Legal, our social security disability lawyers help clients tell their story in a way SSA understands: connecting medical evidence to real-world limitations.
📞 Call us today at 214-357-1782 for a free consultation.
How SSA Looks at MCTD
A Patchwork of Listings
MCTD doesn’t have its own SSA Blue Book listing. Instead, claims are evaluated under related listings using the sequential evaluation process:
- Lupus (14.02)
- Scleroderma (14.04)
- Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis (14.05)
SSA also considers Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) — how your symptoms limit your ability to work, even if you don’t meet a specific listing.
The Human Impact
It’s not just about lab results. SSA wants to know:
- Can you stand or walk for long periods?
- Do flare-ups cause frequent absences?
- Are your hands too stiff for typing or gripping tools?
- Does fatigue or shortness of breath limit your endurance?
Living With MCTD — Symptoms That Affect Work
- Joint pain and swelling that limit mobility
- Muscle weakness and fatigue
- Raynaud’s phenomenon (cold-induced circulation problems)
- Lung involvement (pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease)
- Skin thickening or rashes
- Cognitive difficulties (“brain fog”)
Building a Strong Disability Claim for MCTD
When we work with clients, we emphasize storytelling backed by evidence:
- Medical Records – rheumatology notes, imaging, blood tests (anti-U1 RNP antibodies)
- Functional Documentation – how flare-ups disrupt daily life and work routines
- Physician Statements – connecting symptoms to specific work limitations
- Consistency – showing a clear pattern of treatment and ongoing impairment
Why MCTD Claims Are Often Denied
- SSA struggles with conditions that don’t fit neatly into one category
- Lack of detailed medical documentation
- Inconsistent treatment records
- Failure to connect symptoms to work limitations
💡 Tip: Many valid Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Social Security Disability claims are denied initially. Appeals are often where a strong social security disability lawyer makes the difference.
How MLF Legal Helps People With MCTD Disability Claims
We know that MCTD doesn’t just affect the body — it affects careers, families, and futures. That’s why we:
- Translate medical complexity into SSA language
- Prepare appeals and hearings with precision
- Collaborate with doctors to document causation and limitations
- Advocate for Texans across Dallas, Fort Worth, and statewide
- Nationwide representation for Americans everywhere
📞 Call 214-357-1782 or complete our Free Case Review Form below to get started.
FAQs About MCTD and Disability
Is Mixed Connective Tissue Disease considered a disability by Social Security?
Yes. While MCTD doesn’t have its own listing, SSA evaluates it under related autoimmune listings. If your symptoms are severe and well-documented, you may qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits.
Do I need to meet a specific SSA listing to qualify?
Not always. Even if you don’t meet a listing, you may qualify if your symptoms significantly limit your ability to work under an RFC assessment.
What medical evidence is most important for MCTD disability claims?
Rheumatology records, blood tests (anti-U1 RNP antibodies), imaging studies, and physician statements about functional limitations are critical.
Can I get disability for MCTD if I still try to work part-time?
Possibly. SSA looks at whether you can engage in substantial gainful activity. If your earnings are below SSA’s threshold and MCTD prevents full-time work, you may still qualify.
What if my MCTD claim is denied?
You can appeal. Many MCTD claims are approved during the appeals process, especially with legal representation.
Call MLF Legal today
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