There are many medical conditions like arthritis listed in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book that are disabilities and yes, arthritis is considered a disability by the SSA. According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have one of the hundred forms of arthritis.
Is Arthritis a Disability?
Yes arthritis is considered to be a disability by the SSA. In order to get a disability benefit for arthritis you’ll need meet the Blue Book listing and provide sufficient medical evidence that you are suffering from arthritis. This means you need to be able to prove that your arthritis will not allow you to work for at least twelve months.
Types of Arthritis That Are a Disability
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions, and it is the leading cause of disability in America. The commonest types of arthritis include:
- degenerative arthritis, which is when the cartilage cushioning your bones begins to wear away;
- inflammatory arthritis, which is when the immune system doesn’t function as it should do and attacks healthy joints causing uncontrolled inflammation; examples are rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis;
- infectious arthritis is when a fungus or virus enters the joints which causes an inflammation;
- metabolic arthritis is the buildup of uric acid in the body’s joint, leading to gout.
Unfortunately, any type of arthritis can limit your ability to perform everyday activities due to the swelling and pain of the joints, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) views them all differently.
How to Get Disability Benefits For Arthritis
There are several arthritis conditions that meet the medical criteria found in the SSA’s Blue Book and qualify immediately for disability benefits. These are:
1. Joint Dysfunction Arthritis may cause your joints to fail due to deformities like misalignments, shortening of the joint or chronic pain and stiffness. If your arthritis causes a dysfunction in any of your joints, you should automatically qualify for disability benefits. The proof of your condition is through x-rays and your doctor’s report. Your arthritis should also reveal defects in your hip, knees or ankles which makes it hard to walk.
2. You Had Surgery on a Weight-Bearing Joint If your arthritis has occurred since you had surgery on a major joint which supports your weight, like your knees or hips so that you are unable to walk easily on your own for least 12 months, you should automatically qualify for disability benefits under this SSA listing.
3. Arthritis of the Spine You should automatically qualify for disability benefits if your arthritis affects your spine and the nerve roots embedded in the spinal cord. Arthritis would normally cause your spinal cord to be painful making it less flexible while limiting your movements without help. The narrowing of the spinal canal that causes lower back pain should also qualify you for disability benefits.
4. Inflammatory Arthritis This type of arthritis should automatically qualify you for benefits because it causes inflammation in your knees, ankles, shoulders or elbows making it impossible to work.
If you’re considering applying for disability for your arthritis condition, consider hiring a disability advocate. At Disability Experts of Florida, we will help you fill out the necessary paperwork, prepare you for your disability hearing, and deal with government red tape. Contact us today to discuss your situation.
Get Help With Your Arthritis Disability Claim
If you are unable to move without help due to inflammation in your joints caused by arthritis in order to be sure you get the disability benefits you are entitled to you should discuss your situation with an attorney who will work on your behalf to get the disability benefits you are entitled to.
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