GETTING DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is a painful and often debilitating condition. There are many types of arthritis, and getting a Social Security disability benefit depends on the type of arthritis you have and the severity of symptoms.

Social Security rarely pays a claim for osteoarthritis (OA) because it is so common, and it rarely is severe enough to keep an individual from working. The exception might be when severe OA causes major dysfunction of a weight bearing joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis is more commonly found to be disabling.

When applying for SSDI benefits, keep in mind that SSA’s focus with respect to the medical requirement is whether you can work and earn a certain level of income. The issue is proving that you can't work. You need to gather sufficient documentation and other evidence to support your position. The most important source of information is your medical records, which should include:

• Your doctor’s diagnosis of a specific form of arthritis;

• Physician notes on how your condition imposes physical limitations;

• Documentation on the different treatments you have tried to alleviate your arthritis pain, such as surgery,physical therapy, and prescription medications; and,

• X-rays, MRIs, and other lab tests that show the damage to joints or discs.

Perhaps the most difficult evidence to get is "physician notes on how your condition imposes physical (work) limitations." Which physical activities are limited and to what extent? In other words, how are you limited in sitting, standing, walking, lifting, pushing and pulling? This information is often not found in medical records and the claimant must go to their doctor looking for it. The combination of all your physical restrictions is called a Residual Functional Capacity or RFC. The more restrictions you have, the more likely you are to be approved for disability benefits.