If you are disabled because of ankylosing spondylitis, you will need to meet specific medical criteria to be approved for disability benefits. If your condition does not meet the specific criteria of the Blue Book listing, you may be able to qualify using a medical vocational allowance with a residual functional capacity (RFC). The RFC is a detailed form that gives a clear presentation of what you can and cannot do despite your medical condition.
How To Use the RFC When You Have Ankylosing Spondylitis
If you have ankylosing spondylitis, which is an inflammatory arthritis, you may suffer from fever, chronic fatigue, painful legs, ligament and tendon pain, decreased mobility, difficulty breathing, and inflammation of the eyes. As an example, you are 55 years old and you have always worked retail. While you do not meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing, an RFC completed by your physician could get your claim approved.
The RFC indicates that you cannot stand more than an hour at a time, you are unable to lift more than 10 pounds, you cannot carry things, you cannot reach above your head, and you must use a cane or walker when walking. Because of the painkillers you must take because of your arthritis pain, you experience dizziness and drowsiness, and it affects your memory.
What To Include With Your RFC For Ankylosing Spondylitis
When you submit your RFC for disability because of ankylosing spondylitis, you will also need to provide detailed medical records to support your claim. You will need to have a detailed list of medical providers along with their contact details and dates of service.
These records should include details about physical exams, x-rays and scans, genetic testing, blood tests, and any other medical records that confirm the diagnosis, detail the severity of the condition, and explain your restrictions and limitations. You will also need to provide a detailed work history.
The medical vocational allowance takes your age, work history, transferrable skills, educational background, restrictions and limitations and other applicable factors into consideration to determine if you are capable of working and earning a living. To receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you will need to prove that you have enough work credits. To qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must meet specific income and asset criteria, so you will need to supply financial records.
Further Reading: "Permanent Restrictions Ankylosing Spondylitis"
Get Help With Your RFC For Ankylosing Spondylitis
To ensure your RFC for ankylosing spondylitis paints a clear portrait of your limitations and restrictions, you should enlist the help of a Social Security Disability attorney. Disability lawyers work on a contingency basis, so you have nothing to pay upfront.
Disability claims are complicated, and claimants represented by may be more likely to be approved for disability benefits. To make sure your claim has all supporting documentation in order, complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to be connected with a disability lawyer who takes cases in your area.
