If you or a loved one has recently received a new diagnosis, it is important to ask, in what ways is rheumatoid arthritis a disability?
According to standards set by the Social Security Administration (SSA), there are certain criteria your RA medical condition must meet in order to qualify you for Social Security Disability benefits.
If you have questions about whether you qualify, contact us by completing this form. At Disability Apply, we work tirelessly to help you manage your Social Security Disability benefits claim.
To learn more about applying for disability with Rheumatoid Arthritis, keep reading this information and contact us.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system attacks the lining of your joints. This results in pain and inflammation is any joint in your body, which can limit mobility and cause a disability in severe cases or if left untreated.
You can experience arthritis-related pain in any joint, including:
- Wrists
- Ankles
- Finger knuckles
- Toe joints
- Elbows
- Knees
- Hips
- Shoulders
- Spine
Symptoms of RA may include excessive fatigue, fever, and difficulty breathing.
What is the Disability Blue Book Definition of RA?
In the Social Security Administration Disability Blue Book, autoimmune disorders are defined as those caused by “dysfunctional immune responses directed against the body’s own tissues, resulting in chronic impairments.”
Specifically, Section 14.09 of the Blue Book is dedicated to Inflammatory Arthritis, which identifies Rheumatoid Arthritis as involving the peripheral joints.
It is helpful to understand that the SSA does recognize RA as a qualifying condition for disability benefits. Yet, this does not qualify all who are diagnosed with RA. The SSA still requires ample evidence that your condition is severe enough to be considered a disability.
RA as a Qualifying Disability
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits with Rheumatoid Arthritis, you must work closely with your physician to ensure that you have the necessary evidence. You must provide documentation of your:
- Ongoing treatment
- Work records
- Statements from employers
- Reports from doctors
In some cases, you will have to ask your physician to fill out a Residual Function Capacity (RFC) form to clarify how much work, if any, you are able to perform given your current condition.
Your physician should describe the severity of your condition, which will help the SSA determine if you are able to do any level of sedentary work. Be sure to communicate with your doctor that you intend to apply for disability so that your doctor can maintain thorough notes that will help clarify the severity of your condition.
Increase Your Chances of Approval – Contact Us!
Whether you have questions about rheumatoid arthritis as a disability, how to obtain the proper medical documentation, or how to apply for disability, we are available to help you!
It may surprise you to learn that 70 percent of Social Security Disability benefits applications are denied at the initial stage. This means that only one-third of applicants are approved the first time.
To increase your chances of approval, you can work with a Social Security Disability advocacy agency such as Disability Apply. Our agents have years of experience in helping people just like you receive approval for benefits.
Complete this form so that we can help you begin your journey to obtaining disability benefits for your Rheumatoid Arthritis.