Psoriatic arthritis can be difficult to contend with. In addition to psoriatic symptoms including and scaly patches on the skin, those with psoriatic arthritis are also afflicted with inflammation, tenderness, and pain in joints. If you have psoriatic arthritis, then you may be asking if psoriatic arthritis is a qualifying disability for SSDI. Tabak Law has your answers!
Psoriatic Arthritis Qualifying Symptoms for SSDI
When it comes to approval for SSDI, we have to refer to the Blue Book, and specifically section 14.00 which covers immune diseases in adults. This section is long and covers a lot, but 14.09 covers inflammatory arthritis with 4 lettered categories for symptoms. If you meet the criteria in any of these sections, then you should qualify for SSDI. Three of them (B, C, and D) have symptoms that fall under psoriatic arthritis. We will go into each below.
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Inflammation or Deformity in One or More Major Joints of an Extremity
Inflammation or deformity of at least one major joint in an upper or lower extremity is required for qualification under this section. In addition, to qualify under this section with psoriatic arthritis the following needs to be true: You must have involvement of two or more organs/body systems where one of those is involved to at least a moderate level of severity and have at least two constitutional symptoms. These constitutional symptoms could include involuntary weight loss, fever, severe fatigue, or malaise.
Ankylosing Spondylitis or Other Spondyloarthropathies
This section has two independent qualifiers, but those with psoriatic arthritis will typically qualify under the second qualification if they qualify under this at all. The second qualification is ankylosis or fixation of the dorsolumbar or cervical spine. This must be shown through medical imaging and physical examination at 30 degrees or more of flexion but less than 45 degrees measured from the vertical position. If you qualify under that, then you also have to show involvement of two or more organ/body systems with one involved to at least a moderate level of severity.
Repeated Manifestations of Inflammatory Arthritis
Under section D, you must show repeated manifestations of inflammatory arthritis with two or more constitutional symptoms. Again, those symptoms include severe fatigue, fever, involuntary weight loss, and malaise. In addition, you need to have at least one of the following: limitation of daily living activities, limitations in finishing tasks in a timely manner due to lack of persistence, pace, or concentration, or limitations in maintaining social functioning.
What if You Do not Meet the Qualifications for SSDI for Your Psoriatic Arthritis?
Remember, you only have to qualify under one of the above categories. Even if you do not, it is possible that other non-qualifying disabilities in combination with psoriatic arthritis may in fact qualify you. The primary metric for qualification for SSDI or SSI is the inability to work and the expectation that you will not be able to work for at least 12 consecutive months.
The qualifications above that are specific to inflammatory arthritis are just a guide. If you don’t meet them, then you can expect to get denied, but that does not mean that taking your case through to appeal is a lost cause, especially if there are other health factors that are preventing you from working.
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Get Legal Help With SSDI Benefits
If you need legal help getting the benefits that you deserve, then you should reach out to Tabak Law. We are the experts in Social Security Disability, and we have years of experience that we can put to work on your case. Moreover, we can provide a free case review and we take no payment unless we win. If we do win, that payment will come exclusively out of your back pay. This means you will never have to pay us directly and your ongoing benefits will not be affected. Reach out to us today for that free case review and hire Tabak for the Payback!
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