ERISA & Social Security Disability: Southern California Lawyers

Disability Benefits for Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a rare condition in which groups of immune cells form"granulomas", in various organs in the body, including the lungs. Although the cause of sarcoidosis is not known, inflammation, which may be triggered by infection or exposure to certain substances, is thought to play a role in the formation of granulomas.

Symptoms of Sarcoidosis (Lofgren's Syndrome)

The classic set of signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis, which has been called "Lofgren's Syndrome," includes fever, enlarged hiler lymph nodes in the chest, swollen and painful joints, and erythema nodosum (which is a vasculitic-type skin condition, often seen on the lower extremities).
 
Sarcoidosis can affect any organ. Most often it affects the lungs and lymph nodes in the chest. The symptoms of sarcoidosis are many and may include fatigue, weight loss, skin rashes, enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), vision problems (iritis), dryness of the eyes (sicca symptoms), headaches, seizures, neurological problems (CNS sarcoid), arthritis, cardiac arrhythmia, heart disease, and kidney stones.

Treatment
Treatment may be required, depending on the symptoms that you have, which organs are affected, and how well those organs are working. Medicines used to treat sarcoidosis help reduce inflammation or suppress the immune system. Some of these medications include prednisone, methotrexate, azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), and some of the "biologics," such as Enbrel or Remicade.

Many people recover from sarcoidosis with few or no long-term problems. Some people with sarcoidosis may not even require specific treatment. However, in others, the disease may be severe and chronic and may cause permanent scarring in the lungs or other organs. Shortness of breath, chest pain, and persistent cough may be present. When scarring happens in the lungs, this is called pulmonary fibrosis.

Reference: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7607/sarcoidosis

Documenting your limitations:  How does your condition affect you? Be specific to articulate to your physician details of your physical limitations and how they impact you on a daily basis with regard to your daily living activities, your ability to stand/walk, lift/carry, and even sit for extended periods of time and need for breaks or rest from pain or fatigue. These are important factors and details regarding your functional capacity and important in evaluating whether you can perform your work or any work.