Is rheumatoid arthritis a disability?

Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Disability? Simply being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis does not qualify you for disability. However, if your ability to work is greatly affected or impaired by your condition, then with the proper documentation, you may be entitled to SSA disability benefits.

What benefits am I entitled to if I have rheumatoid arthritis?

If you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and it keeps you from participating in regular daily activities as well as prevents you from working, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. Any one of any age can suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

What percentage of disability is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis is rated under Diagnostic Code 5002. RA can be evaluated at up to a 100 percent disability rating which is not common amongst service-connected health ailments.

Is rheumatoid arthritis a long term disability?

To qualify for long-term disability benefits for RA, you will need to prove that your RA prevents you from performing your job duties. This will require you to receive an official diagnosis, present extensive medical evidence, gather medical records, and explain your level of disability.

How long does it take to get disability for rheumatoid arthritis?

Expect to receive the results of your disability application generally in three to five months, though it may take more than one application to get qualified. If your request for disability benefits is rejected, you can appeal the decision by seeking help from an attorney.

Prevalence of Functional Disability in Rheumatoid Arthritis



Can you still work with rheumatoid arthritis?

Some days, a person living with RA may be able to work, exercise, and be productive. Other days, the same person may struggle with everyday tasks, lack of sleep, debilitating pain, disabling stiffness, joint swelling, or drug side effects such as nausea, headache, lightheadedness, and drowsiness.

What jobs can I do with rheumatoid arthritis?

Professional Occupations

Highly trained professionals, such as physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and lawyers, can usually find ways to continue practicing despite slowdowns or physical limitations from RA.

How hard is it to get disability for arthritis?

Your chances of getting disability with arthritis vary on different factors such as, the medical evidence you provide, prior denials, not working with a doctor and the claimant's ability to continue working. Generally, around 63% of disability applications for SSDI are denied on the initial application.

What autoimmune qualifies for disability?

Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis (Section 14.05 of the SSA's Bluebook) – Both polymyositis and dermatomyositis impact the muscles of the human body. If this immune disorder impacts your ability to walk, swallow, breathe, or hinders your motor skills, then you could be eligible for disability benefits.

Is rheumatoid arthritis serious?

RA is a very serious autoimmune disease, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues and causes severe joint pain, stiffness, severe fatigue, and sometimes deformity, usually in the hands, shoulders, knees, and/or feet.

What arthritis qualifies disability?

SSA recognizes inflammatory arthritis could qualify as a disabling disease if it is accompanied by the following findings. Deformity or swelling of an ankle, knee, or hip joint with: At least two of the following symptoms: fever, loss of weight, fatigue, or a general feeling of discomfort.

Can you drive with rheumatoid arthritis?

Diagnosis with arthritis doesn't necessarily effect your driving at all but it might so it is important you fully understand the law. Driving with arthritis doesn't have to difficult and you can still keep your car in many instances.

What are the 4 stages of rheumatoid arthritis?

The four stages of rheumatoid arthritis are known as synovitis, pannus, fibrous ankylosis, and bony ankylosis.
  • Stage I: Synovitis. During stage I, you may start having mild symptoms, including joint pain and joint stiffness. ...
  • Stage II: Pannus. ...
  • Stage III: Fibrous Ankylosis. ...
  • Stage IV: Bony Ankylosis.


Does rheumatoid arthritis make you tired?

People with rheumatoid arthritis typically have several permanently inflamed joints. The inflammation inside the body can lead to general physical weakness, drowsiness and exhaustion. This feeling of extreme tiredness is also called "fatigue." Some people find this to be the worst symptom of the disease.

What causes an RA flare up?

RA flare-ups are caused by one or more triggers, including diet, stress, illness, weather changes, smoking, and overexertion. The most common signs of RA are joint pain and swelling, fatigue, and joint stiffness, especially in the morning and after sitting for long periods.

What is it like living with rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain and swelling, reduced mobility and physical weakness. General tiredness, trouble sleeping and exhaustion are other common symptoms. All of these symptoms can greatly affect your everyday life and overall wellbeing. Living with rheumatoid arthritis isn't always easy.

What is the most approved disability?

1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.

Is it hard to get disability for autoimmune disease?

If you have a severe autoimmune disease then you may qualify for a disability benefit as long as you provide medical evidence that shows you are unable to work for at least 12 months.

What is the monthly amount for Social Security disability?

SSDI payments range on average between $800 and $1,800 per month. The maximum benefit you could receive in 2020 is $3,011 per month. The SSA has an online benefits calculator that you can use to obtain an estimate of your monthly benefits.

What's the difference between arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, involves the wearing away of the cartilage that caps the bones in your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of joints.

Is it better to retire or go on disability?

In most cases, it is better to receive disability benefits until you reach full retirement age. If you collect early retirement, your benefits are permanently reduced. If you receive SSDI payments until you reach full retirement age, there is no permanent reduction in your retirement benefits.

What is the average lifespan of someone with rheumatoid arthritis?

The average duration of disease were 10.5 years in male patients and 17.7 years in female. The average life span of the patients with RA, revealing 65.8 years in male and 63.7 years in female, were much shorter than of general population. The causes of all deaths were investigated by ourselves and/or autopsy.

Should I tell my employer I have rheumatoid arthritis?

Make sure you want to discuss it.

You don't have to tell your boss or co-workers about your condition. "If RA is not affecting your ability to work, there's really no reason to bring it up," White says. But if the disease is making it hard for you to do your job, it makes sense to talk about it.

Should I work with arthritis?

If you have arthritis or joint pain, your condition may pose some challenges which could make your working life harder. However, work is certainly feasible for most people with arthritis or a related condition.

How do I know what stage of RA I have?

Stages of rheumatoid arthritis
  1. Stage 1. Stage 1 is early stage RA. Many people feel joint pain, stiffness, or swelling. ...
  2. Stage 2. Stage 2 is moderate-stage RA. ...
  3. Stage 3. Once RA has progressed to stage 3, it's considered severe. ...
  4. Stage 4. At stage 4, there's no longer inflammation in the joint.