Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Inflammatory Arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis includes a group of conditions whereby the body’s defense system begins to attack the tissues of joints instead of germs, viruses and other foreign substances. This can result in stiffness, pain and joint damage. As a result of this damage, some of the joints may gradually change shape and deformities can develop. Once a joint is damaged, the damage cannot be reversed. Early treatment aimed at reducing inflammation is important to prevent damage to the joint and, for some forms of inflammatory arthritis, to internal organs. Inflammatory arthritis is often referred to as being systemic because it can affect the whole body. The most common forms of inflammatory arthritis are: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 14.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Inflammatory Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with Inflammatory arthritis do qualify, but they need to meet the requirements of the SSA’s guidelines for this disability. Here they are below:
- ongoing inflammation of peripheral joints in each arm;
- swelling or deformity of a major peripheral joint coinciding with effects on two or more systems with at least one impacted moderately and at least two systemic symptoms;
- ongoing inflammation or deformity in one or more weight-bearing joints triggering an inability to walk;
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- other spondyloarthropathies;
- or ongoing manifestations of inflammatory arthritis with a minimum of two systemic symptoms and impacts on a claimant’s cognitive functioning, social functioning, and daily living.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
