Sarcoidosis is a syndrome, thought to be an autoimmune condition although its causes are unknown, that causes collections of inflammatory cells in the organs of the body.  The granulomas that form because of this condition typically occur in the lung and lymph nodes but can occur in any organ.  The symptoms of sarcoidosis tend to flare up and remit over time.  Many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms at all.  A small percentage of sarcoidosis sufferers develop lung scarring or infections that could lead to chronic respiratory problems or even respiratory failure.

Because the degree of severity of this condition can vary so greatly from person to person, it is not usually a basis for disability by itself unless a person has experienced severe respiratory problems.  In cases where people have severe and chronic respiratory infections and scarring, it is the resulting lung problems rather than sarcoidosis per se that could qualify a person for disability benefits.

Even if your sarcoidosis is not causing you disabling limitations of function by itself, it could still contribute to causing you disabling limitations of function when considered together with your other medical problems.  For instance, if your frequent lung infections together with your other medical problems would cause you to miss more than 3 days of work per month on average, then you could qualify for disability on that basis.

If you have severe and chronic respiratory issues, the Social Security Administration’s listing of impairments contains a set of rules that determine how severe your condition needs to be for you to qualify for disability on the basis your respiratory issues alone.  Those criteria are covered under Section 3.0 (Respiratory-Adult).
