Infantile Krabbe Disease (KD) and Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability Lawyer
Typically, applying for and receiving social security disability benefits can take many months. But what if your disabling condition is so severe that you cannot wait? Infantile Krabbe disease (KD) is a disabling condition on the Compassionate Allowance List, which qualifies an individual for an expedited approval process.
What is KD?
KD is a rare, genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. It is a type of leukodystrophy, meaning that it is a condition in which the brain’s white matter fails to function properly. In KD, the body cannot produce enough of the substance involved in the production of myelin, which is the fatty covering that insulates nerve fibers. This failure is the result of a defective gene, which, in healthy individuals, is responsible for manufacturing galactosylceramidase, the enzyme involved in myelin production. Without sufficient levels of this enzyme present, myelin breaks down, brain cells die, and the body cannot transmit nerve impulses effectively. There are two forms of KD, classified by age of onset: the early onset (infantile form) and late onset, which begins in later childhood. Children with infantile KD, rarely survive past age 2.
Infantile KD Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of infantile KD include:
- Change in muscle tone from floppy to rigid
- Severe hearing and vision loss
- Poor feeding
- Failure to thrive
- Irritability
- Seizures
- Fever
- Vomiting
If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to talk with a doctor immediately.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits and KD
Infantile KD automatically qualifies you for social security disability benefits under the Social Security Administration’s guidelines. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with infantile KD, then you are considered disabled for at least 24 months from the date of diagnosis.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with infantile KD, contact an experienced social security disability lawyer today. Please call us at 1-800-882-5500 or fill out a free consultation form for a free evaluation of your social security disability case.
