A Summary Of Social Security’s New Ruling On Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease is the most common inherited blood disease in the United States,

affecting an estimated 100,000 Americans.1 SCD is not always easy to evaluate due to its varying nature and complications. In this SSR, we provide basic information about SCD and its variants and clarify that sickle cell trait is not a variant of SCD. We also provide guidance for assessing SCD under the hematological disorder listings and determining how this impairment may affect the residual functional capacity finding for adults and the functional equivalence finding for children.

Policy Interpretation

We consider all medical evidence when we evaluate a claim for disability benefits. The following information is in a question and answer format that provides guidance about SCD and how to consider evidence regarding this impairment. Questions 1 and 2 provide

basic background information about SCD and its variants. Question 3 clarifies that sickle cell trait is not a variant of SCD. Question 4 discusses the complications and symptoms of SCD. Questions 5 through 7 explain how adjudicators should evaluate SCD at various points of the adjudication process, including the adult and child hematological listings we consider.

List Of Questions

  1. What is SCD?
  2. What are the different variants of

SCD?

  1. Is sickle cell trait a variant of SCD?
  2. What are the common

complications and symptoms of SCD?

  1. How do we evaluate the

complications of SCD under the

hematological disorder listings?

  1. How do we evaluate the

complications of SCD when assessing

residual functional capacity (RFC) for

adults?

  1. How do we evaluate the

complications of SCD under functional

equivalence for children?

This new ruling was published in the Federal Register. For more information about this ruling and an in-depth explanation of how it may impact claimants click here.