Minnesota Arthritis Social Security Disability

Arthritis Social Security Disability Lawyer Minnesota

Arthritis Disability Disorder Benefits

Arthritis social security disability benefits are based on the severity of your arthritis and how your symptoms affect your ability to work. The two most common types of arthritis disorders that social security evaluates are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Social Security recognizes arthritis as a medically determinable impairment and includes different impairment listings depending on the type of arthritis you have.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Disability

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory form of arthritis that affects your joints. RA primarily affects the joints causing pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function. It can affect any joint however it is most commonly found in the wrist and fingers. No one knows what causes rheumatoid arthritis. Genes, environment and hormones may contribute in the start of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose and is best evaluated by a specialist such as a rheumatologist.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:

• joint pain
• joint swelling
• joint stiffness
• restricted range of motion
• redness or warmth near the joint
• pain and stiffness lasting for more than 30 minutes in the morning or after resting
• fatigue and a general sense of not feeling well

Rheumatoid arthritis is covered by the Musculoskeletal System Impairment listing. In addition, rheumatoid arthritis can be evaluated under the Social Security Immune System impairment listing when there is ongoing joint inflammation.

Social Security uses a two-part test to decide if a claimant meets the impairment listing criteria for rheumatoid arthritis social security disability benefits. The person must have both of the following:

A. History of persistent joint pain, swelling and tenderness involving multiple major joints (hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, or wrist and hand). The person must also exhibit signs of joint inflammation (swelling and tenderness) on a current medical exam despite prescribed therapy lasting at least three months. There must also be significant restrictions of the functioning of the affected joints with the expectation that it will last at least 12 months;

AND

B. The diagnosis must be corroborated by either a positive serologic test for rheumatoid factor; or antinuclear antibodies; or elevated sedimentation rate or characteristic changes in the biopsy of synovial membrane tissue or subcutaneous nodule.

Osteoarthritis Disability

Osteoarthritis is the most common from of arthritis causing pain, swelling and reduced motion in the joints. Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in your joints causing pain, swelling and reduced motion in the joints. The cause of osteoarthritis is unknown but certain factor that can cause it include: obesity, getting older, joint injury, joint stress from work or sports,

Osteoarthritis symptoms include:

• stiffness in a joint in the morning or after sitting for a long time
• swelling in one or more joints
• a crunching feeling or the sound of bone rubbing against bone

The Social Security Musculoskeletal System impairment listing for osteoarthritis focuses on how your condition affects major weight-bearing joints or one major joint in each of the body’s upper extremities.

A Fields Law arthritis social security disability lawyer will assist you in getting the medical records and supporting documentation you need to provide the SSA with evidence of your arthritis disability. If you are unable to work because of arthritis we can help you apply for social security benefits. If you have been denied disability benefits we can appeal your case.

We offer a Free case review. Our Minnesota arthritis social security disability lawyers understand how frustrating it is to have arthritis and be denied disability benefits when you are unable to work. There are never any fees unless we win your disability case.