Is Lymphedema a Disability? How to Qualify for Benefits
Yes, lymphedema can be considered a disability if it significantly interferes with your ability to work or carry out daily tasks.
While the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not list lymphedema by name in its Blue Book, many people still qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits by proving how severely their condition impacts them. In some cases, it can be evaluated under other listings, such as chronic venous insufficiency or Major Dysfunction of a Joint, if mobility is severely limited.
If you’re living with constant swelling, discomfort, and mobility issues from lymphedema, you’re not alone. The path to getting disability benefits can be long and confusing. Help is available. Here’s how to understand your options and improve your chances of getting approved.
What Is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a chronic condition where excess lymph fluid builds up in soft tissues, usually in an arm or leg. This happens when the lymphatic system is damaged or blocked, often after cancer treatment that removes or damages lymph nodes.
When your body cannot drain lymph fluid properly, it causes severe swelling in the affected area. This swelling can be painful, restrict your movement, and lead to recurring skin infections if left untreated. It can affect multiple parts of the body, but most often develops in a single swollen limb.
Common causes include:
Surgery involving lymph node removal
Radiation treatments
Inherited conditions affecting the lymph system
Chronic venous insufficiency or trauma
Some of these causes, such as surgical removal of lymph nodes, are unavoidable side effects of lifesaving treatment. Others, like trauma, can occur suddenly and without warning.
Common Symptoms of Lymphedema
Lymphedema symptoms can range from mild to disabling. These are some of the most common:
Severe swelling in the arm, leg, or another area
Heaviness or tightness in the limb
Skin thickening or hardening
Restricted range of motion that may resemble Major Dysfunction of a Joint
Recurring skin infections, such as cellulitis
Aching or discomfort in the swollen limb
Over time, untreated lymphedema can cause permanent damage. This can make simple tasks like walking, standing, or lifting painful or impossible.
Treatment Options for Lymphedema
While there is no cure for lymphedema, several treatments aim to manage symptoms and prevent complications:
Compression therapy: Bandages or garments worn as a compression device to help move fluid out of the affected limb
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD): A specialized massage technique designed to stimulate lymph vessels and help move fluid out of the affected area
Exercise: Gentle movement to stimulate lymph flow
Skin care: Preventing infection through hygiene and moisturization
Surgical options: Lymphatic bypass or liposuction, often reserved for severe cases
Even with aggressive treatment, many people continue to struggle with swelling, pain, and fatigue. Standing or walking for long periods often remains difficult.
Can You Get Disability Benefits for Lymphedema?
Yes, you may qualify for disability benefits if your lymphedema prevents you from working full-time.
Lymphedema is not listed by name in the SSA’s Blue Book. Claims are often considered under related listings, such as chronic venous insufficiency, impairments affecting mobility, or Major Dysfunction of a Joint when movement in the affected area is significantly limited.
In their determination, the SSA will evaluate how your symptoms limit your ability to function on a day-to-day basis, not just your lymphedema diagnosis.
To qualify, your condition must:
Be expected to last at least 12 months
Prevent you from doing your current or previous type of work
Make it difficult to adjust to other types of work
If you can prove all three of these points with strong medical evidence, you may be eligible for benefits.
Criteria for Getting Disability Benefits With Lymphedema
To receive Social Security Disability Benefits, you need to provide strong, clear evidence of how your condition affects you. This includes:
Detailed medical records documenting your diagnosis and treatment history
Doctor statements explaining your physical limitations (for example, inability to stand or walk for more than 10 minutes)
Imaging or clinical notes showing severe swelling, infections, or skin changes
Proof of treatment and lack of improvement, such as ongoing use of a compression device
Functional limitations, such as needing frequent breaks, elevating your limb, or missing work due to flare-ups
The SSA may also assess your residual functional capacity (RFC), which measures what tasks you can still do despite your condition.
If your swelling, discomfort, or fatigue limits your ability to sit, stand, walk, or carry objects for a full workday, that could support your claim.
How to Apply for Disability Benefits
Filing for Social Security benefits with lymphedema can be stressful, especially when you are already coping with severe swelling, mobility problems, or a swollen limb. The process is detailed, and missing even one required document can delay or derail your claim.
By following each step carefully and providing complete, accurate information, you can give your application the best chance of success. And if you run into issues at any stage, seek professional help. Mistakes can cost you months of waiting.
Step 1 – Decide How to Apply
You can submit your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
Online at the SSA website
By phone at 1-800-772-1213
In person at your local Social Security office (appointments recommended)
If you feel uncertain about the process, consider getting professional guidance before submitting your claim to avoid mistakes that could slow your case.
Step 2 – Gather Personal and Medical Documentation
Prepare all necessary records before you apply, including:
Personal identification, such as your Social Security number and birth certificate
Medical evidence such as treatment notes, imaging results, and infection reports
Proof of ongoing treatment, like regular use of compression garments or a compression device, or records of participation in physical therapy
Work history covering the last 15 years, including your type of work and duties performed
A list of medications, therapies, and side effects that limit your ability to work
Having these ready ensures you can complete the application fully and accurately in one sitting.
Step 3 – Comprehensively Complete the Application
When filling out your application, be specific about how your lymphedema limits you. Avoid general statements like “I have swelling.” Instead, describe functional limitations in detail. For example:
“I can stand for no more than 10 minutes before pain and swelling in my leg force me to sit. I must elevate my limb throughout the day to reduce discomfort and prevent skin infections.”
This level of detail helps the Social Security Administration understand the real impact of your symptoms on your ability to work.
Step 4 – Prepare for a Possible Appeal
Most initial disability applications are denied. If this happens:
File for reconsideration within 60 days
Submit any new or updated medical evidence
Provide additional documentation of your limitations and ongoing symptoms
Approaching the process with complete records and accurate descriptions from the start will improve your chances of approval, whether on the first try or during an appeal.
Get Help With Your Disability Claim
Lymphedema may be invisible to others, but it can completely upend your life. From severe swelling to mobility problems and recurring skin infections, the struggle is real, and you deserve support.
At Impact Disability Law, we understand how difficult it can be to manage this condition and your finances at the same time. Our team is here to help you gather medical records, complete your application accurately, and stand by you through appeals and hearings.
If lymphedema is making it hard or impossible for you to keep working, do not go through the claims process alone. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us fight for the SSDI benefits you deserve.