Arthritis and Social Security Disability

Ouch! My aching joints. Many of us have arthritis, more than 54 million Americans suffer from these painful joint disorders. Arthritis strikes women more than men and your risk of getting arthritis increases with age.

Arthritis is an umbrella term for joint disease and there are more than 100 different types. The most common forms are osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, which usually occurs with age and affects the knees, fingers, and hips. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that can strike at any age and often affects the feet and hands. Other types of arthritis include gout, fibromyalgia, and lupus.

With the significant pain and joint swelling that can come with any type of arthritis, this disease can limit your ability to work and perform everyday activities.

Am I Eligible for Social Security Disability If I Have Arthritis?

The answer is – maybe. If you are unable to work and you apply for Social Security Disability (SSDI), the Social Security Administration will first assess whether your disability will last at least 12 months and is a “severe” impairment. They will also see if your arthritis meets one of the conditions in their impairment listing or Blue Book. If so, your claim will be automatically approved.

If your condition does not appear on this list, you may still be eligible for SSDI benefits if your arthritis meets the Social Security Administration’s criteria of pain and swelling along with painful or limited joint movement.

Your arthritis must be serious enough to prevent you from performing physical activities usually required for working such as the following:

• Standing or sitting
• Walking or kneeling
• Lifting
• Use of fine motor skills

Some cases may qualify for SSDI if they are approaching retirement age because they lack qualifications listed in the Social Security Blue Book to do available sedentary work.

It’s essential to provide as much evidence of your medical condition and limitations with your SSDI application including:

• Doctor’s diagnosis report
• Lab and blood test results
• X-ray and CT scan imaging
• Treatment plan
• Medications and side effects
• Physical therapy
• List of all doctors

Please reach out for an experienced Social Security Disability attorney for help with filing your initial application for the best possible outcome. We can also assist with the appeal process if your claim is denied.

Let Us Help You Gain the Social Security Disability Benefits that You Deserve

If you or a loved one has been denied Worker’s Compensation or Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, it’s important to get an attorney experienced in these types of cases involved immediately. Call our Los Angeles County office at 800.438.7734 for your initial free consultation, either in our office or in the comfort of your own home. The Kenton Koszdin Law Office, Social Security attorney in Van Nuys, can help you navigate the application process for the best possible outcome for you and your family.