Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is the name of several inherited medical conditions that affect joints, skin, and other connective tissues in the body. Ehlers-Danlos is usually the result of a mutation or defect in the genes that produce and regulate collagen—the primary protein making up connective tissue in the human body.

Ehlers-Danlos causes connective tissues to be weaker and more elastic. This means that skin may bruise easier or joints may become extremely loose and overly flexible. There are at least ten different types of Ehlers-Danlos, which affect different collagen genes and lead to varying combinations of symptoms. Because of this, Ehlers-Danlos can be incredibly mild or life-threatening, depending on the type of tissues affected.

Common signs of Ehlers-Danlos include:

  • Hyper-flexible joints
  • Stretchy or saggy skin
  • Deformities
  • Muscles and joint pain
  • Sprains, pulls, and dislocations
  • Skin that bruises easily

Ehlers-Danlos can also lead to heart diseases and other cardiovascular problems if blood vessel or valve tissue is weakened. Weak connective tissues make pregnancy difficult and can prevent injuries from healing properly. The complications associated with Ehlers-Danlos can be life-threatening.

More often than not, the complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are the key to winning your claim. These complications can include joint dislocations and the early onset of arthritis as a result of overly flexible joints. Fragile skin can result in cuts and wounds that are difficult to heal. Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can result in ruptures of major blood vessels.

To meet a listing, you must show that you have an impairment under SSA’s listings. To “meet” a listing, your condition must have all of the requirements under the listing.

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

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome does not have its own listing. Therefore, the SSA requires evaluation under the closest analogous 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.

Hallex II-4-1-4 explains, “Although Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan’s syndrome are connective tissue disorders, they are not immune disorders, but genetic disorders.” Therefore, EDS should not be included in the immune system listings. Instead, EDS is evaluated under the listings for the affected body system, (e.g., cardiovascular, visual, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal).

If you need help applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 22 year's experience with Social Security Disability cases. I handle cases all over the United States. 

Home - Allan W. Ben, PC (allanwbenpc.com)

Location: Michigan, USA

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