Can I Claim Disability for Arthritis in Wisconsin?

When Can Arthritis Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can both qualify for disability benefits.

When these diseases attack the joints, they make it difficult to move, reduce your range of motion, and possibly require mobility aids like canes and walkers. You might struggle with tasks you once considered simple.

Rheumatoid arthritis even affects your organs and causes other medical issues like severe fatigue, weight loss, and frequent fevers because it’s a chronic inflammatory condition.

For an arthritis disability claim, you need to document all of the symptoms and restrictions in your daily life that you experience.

Whichever type of arthritis you have, the key to your disability claim will be what Social Security calls your residual functional capacity (RFC).

Your RFC is a measurement of your physical and mental capabilities and what kind of work you can do despite your symptoms.

The RFC breaks down work into five categories, ranging from sedentary to heavy. If Social Security thinks you can do a job, maybe a less physically strenuous one than before, your arthritis disability claim will be denied.

Some questions to answer include:

• How long can you sit, stand and walk?
• Do you need mobility aids, like a cane or wheelchair?
• How well can you lift, carry or reach for objects?
• Can you push or pull objects?
• Do you struggle with fine motor skills—grasping small items?
• Does your pain make it difficult to concentrate and stay on task?
• Are you affected by heat, cold or other environmental factors?
• Do you struggle to make decisions, remember information and interact with others because of the distraction of severe arthritis?

Your physical and mental capabilities matter, but Social Security will also consider other factors when determining your RFC—like your education level, transferable job skills, and your age.

Taking time to really think about how your symptoms affect your everyday life, not just at work, and being ready to answer these questions is critical when you’re applying for disability benefits.

It’s also important to keep the requirements for Social Security’s different disability benefits in mind.

If you have questions about RFC and how you can qualify for Social Security Disability for arthritis, a Northeast Wisconsin disability lawyer can help you.

Get started with a FREE arthritis disability claim evaluation.

Evidence for Your Arthritis Disability Claim

Every disability claim requires evidence. Even if you think your symptoms are debilitating, you can’t assume that Social Security will see things your way.

Around two-thirds of initial applications get rejected in Wisconsin. If you were denied disability benefits, you’re not alone.

You need to be clear about how your medical condition impacts you in your everyday life and how its effects make it impossible to work.

Some items that help with an arthritis disability claim include:

• Results of imaging tests, like X-rays and MRIs
• Blood tests and other lab results
• A list of prescription medications you take
• An assessment of your functional limitations from your doctor
• Medical records indicating you’ve tried to treat your condition, and you’ve stuck to treatment plans
• Psychological evaluations if mental health issues also weigh on your ability to work
• Evidence of disruptions to your work, like missed days or need for a reduced workload
• Statements from friends, family members, and others who have witnessed your health struggles

A Social Security Disability lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to make your arthritis SSD claim convincing.