ERISA & Social Security Disability: Southern California Lawyers

Disability Benefits for Arthritis

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which can range from mild to severe, include:

• Tender, warm, swollen joints.
• Swollen joints on both sides of the body, such as in both your right and left wrist.
• Swollen joints often in the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand.
• Swollen joints sometimes in other joints, including the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.
• Feeling tired and having low energy.
• Fevers.
• Pain and stiffness lasting for more than 30 minutes in the morning or after a long rest.
• Symptoms that last for many years.

Reference: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rheumatoid-arthritis

Essential Medical Documentation for disability benefits Needed:

• How far can you walk?
• How long can you stand? Do you need a cane/walker to ambulate?
• How much can you lift and carry? 
• Do you have difficulty reaching, bending, squatting, stooping? Describe.
• What is your average daily pain level?
• Do you have grabbing or grasping difficulty (dropping things)?
• What medications do you take for pain tolerance? Side effects of medication?
• Do you have objective tests confirming RA, swelling, pain on examination?
• Are you doing physical therapy?

Documenting your limitations:  How does your condition affect you? Be specific to articulate to your physician details of your physical limitations and how they impact you on a daily basis with regard to your daily living activities, your ability to stand/walk, lift/carry, and even sit for extended periods of time and need for breaks or rest from pain or fatigue. These are important factors and details regarding your functional capacity and important in evaluating whether you can perform your work or any work.