PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND DISABILITY BENEFITS

WHAT IS PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS?

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that can occur in some people who have psoriasis, a chronic skin condition. The common symptoms of the disease are red, scaly patches on the skin caused by the accelerated growth of skin cells. You can see this type of skin issue in the photograph on this page. Unfortunately, psoriatic arthritis affects the joints and causes pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Psoriatic arthritis often affects joints on one side of the body more than the other, which is referred to as asymmetric involvement. Inflammation can also occur at the points where tendons or ligaments attach to bones. This can lead to pain and tenderness in these areas. Additionally, some people with may develop dactylitis, which is inflammation of an entire finger or toe. This can cause your fingers to well and give them a sausage type of appearance.

Psoriatic arthritis can affect both men and women equally. However, some studies suggest that there may be variations in the symptoms between men and women. For example, men may be more likely to have involvement of the skeleton, including the spine and sacroiliac joints. Whereas, women may experience more involvement of the distal joints, such as those in the fingers and toes. The disease can occur at any age. However, it often occurs to those who are between the ages of 30 and 50.

The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known. But, doctors believe the cause involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The disease is an autoimmune condition, where the immune system attacks healthy tissues. It is important to remember that the disease is highly variable and its presentation differs widely among people.

TREATMENT FOR PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Treatment for psoriatic arthritis aims to reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and prevent joint damage. Your doctor will give you medications to manage pain, as well as disease modifying drugs to help halt the disease.

Additionally, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and joint protection strategies are helpful to improve your quality of life. If you suspect you have psoriatic arthritis or are experiencing symptoms, it is important to meet with a doctor consult for an accurate diagnosis and ongoing treatment.

Furthermore, if you do not get treatment for your condition, then you will not be able to win SSD benefits. The SSA only awards benefits to those who can prove their condition with medical records. You will need to show the SSA that you have joint problems, skin and nail issues, and severe bouts of psoriatic arthritis.

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS QUALIFIES FOR SSD BENEFITS

Psoriatic arthritis can be a disabling disease. The SSA classifies psoriatic arthritis under listing 14.09 for “Inflammatory Arthritis.” In order to receive SSD payments, your condition must prevent you from working for more than 12 months. You might not be able to work due to being unable to walk or to use your fingers for actions like typing. Additionally, you may have severe joint swelling and joint pain. However, an occasional flare of arthritis during the course of a year would not normally keep you from work.

If you experience psoriatic arthritis, then you may have a severe rash on your skin. The most common type or rash is known as plaque psoriasis. The rash starts out with small red bumps that grow larger and form a scale. If you scratch the rash it can pull the scales off of your skin and cause bleeding. Sometimes, the rash may be so severe that large patches of skin peal away.

HOW DOES THE SSA EVALUATE PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS?

The SSA has specific rules that they use to evaluate psoriatic arthritis. Listing 14.09 is the listing for inflammatory arthritis. However, it is the severity of the arthritis that counts. The SSA evaluates whether or not your arthritis is severe enough to prevent you from working.

If you read listing 14.09, then you will see the symptoms of the disease under 14.09B, 14.09C2, and 14.09D. Normally, the SSA looks at whether or not your arthritis effects one or more of the major joints. For example, the major joints they look at are the knees, ankles, shoulders, and wrists. Inflammation or deformity of these joints shows how severe your disease is and whether it keeps you from working.

If you have psoriatic arthritis that prevents you from working, then it will also impair you in other areas of your life. For example, you might not be able to complete your activities of daily living. Activities of daily living are things such as doing laundry, shopping, cooking, and cleaning.

Also, you may not be able to maintain a social life due to pain. You may not be able to attend church, go to parties, or sit at the movies. Finally, the SSA will evaluate whether your arthritis prevents you from doing tasks in a timely manner. For example, with psoriasis, you may be in so much pain that you cannot concentrate or see a task through to the end.

SSDI & SSI BENEFITS FOR PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS?

The SSA offers two programs that provide benefits to people with severe medical conditions that prevent them from working. The first is SSD benefits, which you are paying into when you work. This means that SSD benefits are not a free government handout. Instead, they are a benefit that you pay for through your taxes.

• Social Security (SSD): The disability insurance program if for people with disabilities who work and pay into the benefit system through taxes. The exact requirements to qualify depend on your age and how much you have worked. The amount you receive is based on your lifetime earnings.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): The SSI program provides cash assistance to people with disabilities who also have limited income and resources. If you have a severe medical condition and very few assets or resources, then you may qualify to receive up to $940 a month from the federal government.

It is possible, if you are disabled, to receive both of these benefits at the same time. This, of course, depends upon whether you meet the financial rules for SSI. When you file an application with the SSA, you will apply for all of the benefits you are can get. You can file for SSD benefits online on the Social Security website. At our law firm, we can help you file your SSD application.

CONTACT CANNON DISABILITY TO FILE YOUR APPLICATION

If you have psoriatic arthritis and cannot work, you need to file your application for SSD and SSI benefits. You should also hire an experienced representative to help you win your case.  Call us today. We can tell you if you have a good case over the phone. Additionally, you can hire us even if you don’t have any money. Because, we are paid only if we win your case. You will need help, because the SSA requires medical evidence to prove disability. We can help you obtain your medical records. Contact us today.

When you hire us, we will help you file your application. We also help you complete the SSA’s paperwork. SSA will probably deny your case. The SSA denies the majority of applications. Likewise, they deny most cases on appeal. Typically, in order to win, you must go to a hearing. When you go to a hearing, you should not go alone. Make sure you hire a lawyer with experience to help you in court.

You can find out more about your legal team on this website. Dianna Cannon has been helping client win SSD cases for over 30 years. Brett Bunkall has won hundreds of cases in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and California. Andria Summers has over 20 years of experience helping our clients win their benefits. Our lawyers and staff are experts.  We have won over $100 million in ongoing SSD benefits for our clients. Contact us today to hire a Social Security law firm with the legal experience you need to win benefits.