Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the inflammation associated with the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.
Symptoms vary from person to person and can come and go.
An individual may experience episodes of increased swelling and inflammation and then periods of remission where swelling is reduced or even disappears for a while. Usually, symptoms occur in joints on both sides of the body and include:
- Swollen and tender joints
- Joint stiffness that is worse in the morning or follows a period of inactivity
- Appearance of rheumatoid nodules (bumps of tissue)
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
How can you qualify for SSDI if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis?
SSA acknowledges that rheumatoid arthritis is a disabling impairment in its Blue Book under Section 14.09, Inflammatory Arthritis. To be found disabled under this listing, you must meet one of the following sets of criteria:
- Persistent inflammation or persistent deformity of:
- One or more major peripheral joints in a lower extremity AND medical documentation of at least one of the following:
- A documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes or bilateral crutches, or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands; or
- An inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements, and a documented medical need for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device that requires the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand, or
- One or more major peripheral joints in each upper extremity and medical documentation of an inability to use both upper extremities to the extent that neither can be used to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements.
OR
- Inflammation or deformity in one or more major joints of an upper or lower extremity with:
- Involvement of two or more organs/body systems with one of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity; and
- At least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss).
OR
- Ankylosing spondylitis or other spondyloarthropathies, with:
- Ankylosis (fixation) of the dorsolumbar or cervical spine as shown by appropriate medically acceptable imaging and measured on physical examination at 45° or more of flexion from the vertical position (zero degrees); or
- Ankylosis (fixation) of the dorsolumbar or cervical spine as shown by appropriate medically acceptable imaging and measured on physical examination at 30° or more of flexion (but less than 45°) measured from the vertical position (zero degrees), and involvement of two or more organs/body systems with one of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity.
OR
- Repeated manifestations of inflammatory arthritis, with at least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss) and one of the following at the marked level:
- Limitation in activities of daily living.
- Limitation in maintaining social functioning.
- Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace.
Contact Social Security Disability Lawyers
What if my condition does not meet the listing requirements?
If your rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t meet the criteria of Social Security’s listing, you may still be approved for disability benefits through other means, such as if you can show that your condition prevents you from working.
SSA will review your medical records and determine your Residual Functional Capacity. This determination takes into account your RA symptoms, any other medical conditions you have, your age, and your past work to determine if there are jobs you can perform.
If you can't sit or stand for long periods due to RA, if you need to take frequent rest breaks, or if you have swelling and pain in your hands and arms, you may not be able to perform other tasks required for most sedentary jobs. If Social Security determines there are no jobs you can do, you may be granted a Medical-Vocational Allowance.
Learn more about how to appeal or seek approval through other means here.
MCV Law is here to help.
The Social Security Disability process is complex, and securing benefits can be difficult without an experienced lawyer's help. Our team is here for you. We can guide you through every step of the process and let you know exactly what you will need to build and submit a strong claim.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning that there is no fee unless we win. The fee is set by Social Security and is a percentage of the total amount of benefits awarded to you by the SSA. Take the first step and connect with a skilled and experienced Social Security Disability attorney today.