If you are experiencing major dysfunction of a joint, the condition can be very painful to live with. You may want to work, but the chronic pain that you suffer from will not allow you to maintain the duties of full-time work activity. If you are suffering from major dysfunction of a joint, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to offset some of the financial burden that has been caused by your disabling condition.
Major Dysfunction of a Joint Condition and Symptoms
A major joint dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors. Birth defects or a serious traumatic injury are the most common causes of a joint dysfunction. Rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to major joint dysfunction and chronic joint pain.
The symptoms of major joint dysfunction can vary from individual to individual. The most common symptoms of this condition include chronic pain, limited movement of the affected joint and joint deformity. When diagnosing this condition, your doctor will measure the motion of the affected joints, chart detailed descriptions, and take x-rays of the affected areas.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Major Dysfunction of a Joint
Major dysfunction of a joint is a condition that is covered under the Social Security Disability guidelines as long as the criteria of 20 CFR Pt. 404, Subpt. P, APP. 1, 1.02 are met. What this means is that in order for a major joint dysfunction to qualify you for Social Security Disability benefits, you must have a gross deformity of the joint in question, a history of chronic joint pain and stiffness, loss of motion of the joint, limited mobility and sufficient medical documentation proving your condition.
While the Social Security Administration does recognize that a major dysfunction of a joint as a condition that qualifies a claimant for Social Security Disability benefits, convincing the Social Security Administration that your specific condition meets their established criteria can be difficult. You will need to provide the Social Security Administration with a complete copy of your medical records while filing your disability claim and these records will need to establish that your condition meets all of the criteria set forth by the Social Security Administration's guidelines. If your medical records leave any doubt as to whether or not your condition meets each established guideline, your application for Social Security Disability benefits is likely to be denied, resulting in the need for a disability appeal.
If you are denied during the initial stage of your Social Security Disability claim, do not let it discourage you. There is still hope that you will receive the disability benefits you need. The fact of the matter is that the Social Security Administration denies nearly 70 percent of the claims received each year. Because it can be hard for you to prove that you meet the qualifications needed for a disability approval due to a major dysfunction of a joint, yours may be among the many denied claims. If this is the case, you will be entitled to a Social Security Disability hearing where you will be able to prove your case in front of an Administrative Law Judge. The good news is that nearly two-thirds of disability cases that are heard in court are decided in the favor of the disability applicant.
Major Dysfunction of a Joint and Your Social Security Disability Case
If you are denied Social Security Disability benefits during the initial stage of the disability application process, you will need to pursue a disability appeal in order to obtain the benefits that you may be rightfully entitled to. The first stage of appeals is called a Request for Reconsideration. The majority of these requests are also denied by the Social Security Administration. The disability hearing is where you have the greatest chance of overturning the SSA's decision to deny your Social Security Disability claim.
Because it can be difficult to prove a total disability due to major dysfunction of a joint, you should consider retaining the services of a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or advocate. These professionals can help you in the preparation of your disability claim, presenting it in the best light possible to the Social Security Administration. If your claim is still denied, your advocate or attorney will be able to represent you at your disability hearing. They may call in expert witnesses to testify on your behalf and will be able to help you prove the severity of your disability to the judge.
To learn more about filing for Social Security Disability benefits with a major dysfunction of the joint or to learn more about working with a Social Security Disability lawyer, simply fill out the free evaluation form.
