Arthritis is a serious health impairment that affects over 25% Americans. If you or a loved one suffers from an arthritis disability that prevents you from working, you may consider winning Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Arthritis disability is the most common cause for filing disability claims through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs. However, winning Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits is overly difficult because of the complex and complicated federal regulations and application process set by the SSA. Fewer than one-third of the applications for disability benefits are approved by the SSA.
An accomplished Arthritis Disability Benefits Lawyer at The Keener Law Firm can help you fight for the benefits you deserve. If you had applied for benefits and received a notice of denial, we can help you challenge the adverse determination through several levels of the appeal process.
The SSA uses the Listing of Impairments, also called the “Blue Book” that contains medical conditions, including arthritis, deemed severe enough to meet the definition and standard for disability by Social Security claim examiners. In order to win disability benefits, you must match the specific criteria prescribed for a listing impairment.
Arthritis is included in the SSA “Blue Book” at different places. It finds mention in Section 1 (Musculoskeletal System) under paragraph 1.02 (major dysfunction of a joint(s)(due to any cause), and paragraph 1.04 (disorders of the spine). Moreover, different types of arthritis are listed in Section 14 (Immune) under paragraph 14.09 (inflammatory arthritis).
Matching the different Blue Book listings is a complicated process and it may be an uphill task for you to prove that you satisfy the listing criteria, but an experienced and knowledgeable arthritis disability benefits lawyer at our office can help you understand the listings and present adequate documentation.
If your arthritis disability condition does not meet any of the listing criteria in the SSA Blue Book, it does not mean that you will not be approved for SSI or SSDI benefits. A residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment arranged by the SSA helps determine whether your medical condition prevents you from doing a past job. The SSA also uses the RFC assessment in conjunction with your age, training, work experience and education to find out if you can adjust to doing any other type of work despite the impairment. Inability to do past types of work or adjusting to other types of work may qualify an applicant for arthritis disability benefits without meeting any of the Blue Book listing criteria.
If you suffer from an arthritis disability and you want to fight for the benefits you deserve, you must consider the services of an experienced Arthritis Disability Benefits Lawyer with outstanding knowledge of the SSD law. Contact The Keener Law Firm today for a free consultation and claim review.