Denied Disability Benefits With Ankylosing Spondylitis

If you were denied Social Security disability benefits with Ankylosing Spondylitis but you can’t work because of your condition, you can file an appeal. It’s very common for people to have their application for Social Security disability denied initially. But, by filing an appeal, you can make adjustments to your application so that you may be approved for disability benefits on appeal.  

Filing An Appeal For Disability Benefits With Ankylosing Spondylitis  

When you file an application for Social Security disability benefits, the SSA will look at things like your medical evidence, your age, your work history, and your education to see if there’s any kind of job you can do with the limitations caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis.  

It’s absolutely essential that you include as much medical evidence and evidence of disability as you can to prevent your claim from being denied. But, if your application is denied, you can file an appeal and ask for reconsideration. Before your application goes through reconsideration you can fine-tune it by adding more evidence and more documentation showing how Ankylosing Spondylitis makes it impossible for you to work.  

How To File a Successful Appeal For Disability Benefits With Ankylosing Spondylitis 

If your disability benefits application was denied and you are filing an appeal, you need to do things so that your application may be approved when it goes through reconsideration: 

  • Use an RFC. 
    A Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is a form that your doctor needs to fill out. On this form, your doctor has an opportunity to write—in great detail—exactly what your symptoms are and how exactly they make it impossible for you to work. For example, if vertigo is a symptom of your condition, and you can’t walk more than a few feet without getting dizzy, that would limit your ability to work. Your doctor should be as descriptive as possible on the RFC. 
  • File the Appeal Quickly. 
    Once your initial application for disability benefits is denied, don’t wait. You should immediately file an appeal for reconsideration. The faster you file your appeal, the sooner it will be when you get a decision. 
  • Get More Medical Evidence. 
    Your application for disability benefits should have as much medical evidence of your disability as you can get. Copies of your treatment notes, diagnosis, imaging like MRIs, CAT scans, and X-rays, blood tests, bones scans, liver and kidney tests, and all other medical records need to be included. Many first-time applications for disability benefits are denied because they don’t contain enough medical evidence. You can add more medical evidence to your application before it goes through reconsideration. 
  • Continue Treatment Plans. 
    Always follow the treatment plan that your doctor has set and keep records of those doctor visits, tests, physical therapy, and any other treatment that you’re supposed to get. The SSA will look to see if you are continuing treatment as recommended by your doctor.  

Why Was My Ankylosing Spondylitis Claim Denied? 

Claims for disability benefits can be denied for many different reasons. The most common reason why a claim is denied is that there wasn’t enough medical evidence included with the claim. Other reasons why claims may be denied are that the forms weren’t filled out correctly or that the applicant has filed multiple applications. 

Get Help With Your Appeal 

Having to appeal a denial of a disability benefits is very common. But you should do whatever you can to fix up your application before it goes to reconsideration. That means you should speak with an experienced disability lawyer. A disability attorney can give you advice about your specific application and what you can do to increase your approval chances. Fill out a free Case Evaluation form on this page now to get connected and speak with a local disability attorney about the specifics of your application—all at zero cost to you. 

Additional Resources 

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