Can You Get Disability for Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis can lead to severe pain, joint stiffness, and swelling, often making it difficult to perform everyday tasks. Frequent flare-ups may prevent you from working or managing daily responsibilities. If this is your experience, you may be wondering: Can you qualify for disability benefits due to osteoarthritis?
You may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits if your symptoms significantly impact your quality of life and ability to work. While osteoarthritis does not have its own listing in the Social Security Administration’s Listings of Impairments. The SSA will assess it using the criteria for other musculoskeletal conditions. However, because the disability claims process is incredibly complex, requiring a thorough understanding of the technical aspects of medical and vocational issues, most applicants struggle to receive an initial award of disability. Disability Advice is here to help you understand how you may qualify for benefits for osteoarthritis and can help you navigate the sequential evaluation process that is used to assess claims.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Millions of people suffer from the painful effects of osteoarthritis, the most prevalent form of arthritis. This condition develops when the cartilage surrounding joints and bones starts to deteriorate. As a result, the impacted bones scrape together whenever they move, causing pain and tenderness. People with osteoarthritis often develop it in the spine, hands, knees, and hips.
Osteoarthritis tends to worsen over time and is untreatable. You can manage it through medications and healthy lifestyle habits, but that may not be enough to stop symptoms completely. Individuals with more severe forms of the condition suffer from chronic pain, stiffness, and intense swelling around afflicted joints.
Is Osteoarthritis Considered a Disability by the SSA?
Osteoarthritis is not listed individually in the SSA’s Listings of Impairments. Instead, the agency assesses it using the criteria for other musculoskeletal conditions. It categorizes some types of arthritis as noninflammatory or degenerative. The eligibility criteria the SSA uses depend on the parts of the body affected and the severity of the symptoms.
Most musculoskeletal disorder listings, especially osteoarthritis, require evidence of a “loss of function” that demonstrates the severity of the condition. Regardless of the underlying cause, Social Security defines “loss of function” as the inability—due to any factor, including pain—to either ambulate effectively on a sustained basis or use both upper limbs for sustained fine and gross motor movements.
When assessing a claim for SSDI benefits, the SSA considers other factors besides your diagnosis. It reviews any functional limitations you have, such as mobility issues, and how they affect your ability to work. Disability examiners also review doctors’ assessments and relevant tests, such as X-rays or CT scans.
People with more severe forms of osteoarthritis are more likely to qualify for benefits. If your condition substantially limits mobility or daily functioning, you may fit the SSA’s eligibility criteria.
SSA Listings Relevant to Osteoarthritis
While osteoarthritis has no dedicated listing, the SSA commonly uses several listings under Listing 1.00 Musculoskeletal Conditions to assess the condition. Osteoarthritis is also commonly known by several other names that include: (1) Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) – a widely used medical synonym; (2) Wear-and-Tear Arthritis – describes progressive cartilage breakdown; (3) OA – an abbreviation used in both clinical and informal contexts; (4) Arthrosis – a term more commonly used in hospitals and x-ray results, and (5) Hypertrophic Osteoarthritis – used when referring to OA with bony overgrowths or osteophytes.
The following are two of the most relevant:
Abnormality of a Major Joint: Listing 1.18
Under this category, you may be eligible for SSDI if you establish all of the following elements:
- Chronic joint pain or stiffness
- Abnormal motion or immobility in the affected joints
- Anatomical abnormality of the joint through a physical or imaging test
- Long-term physical limitations that require mobility assistance, such as a wheelchair or walker
What SSA Listing 1.18 means in simple terms:
This listing covers serious joint problems in your arms or legs—like shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, or ankles—that make it hard or impossible to use those joints normally. To meet this listing, you must have a long-term medical problem affecting one or more major joints, such as:
- Severe arthritis
- Joint injuries that haven’t healed
- Joint deterioration from disease or condition
You must show that this problem:
- Is well-documented by a doctor with MRIs, X-rays, and physical exams,
- Has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, and
- Causes serious difficulty with movement, either:
- You can’t walk well enough to do basic daily activities or get around independently without a walker, cane, or crutches, or
- You can’t use both arms well enough to do routine activities like cooking, cleaning, dressing, or using your hands for work.
SSA also requires proof that your joint condition has caused these functional limitations over time, not just during an occasional flare-up.
Reconstructive Surgery or Surgical Arthrodesis of a Major Weight-Bearing Joint: Listing 1.17
Individuals who recently underwent reconstructive surgery for a weight-bearing joint, such as a knee or hip, may qualify for benefits. This listing also requires applicants to demonstrate continued physical limitations for at least 12 months and the medical need for a mobility device.
What SSA Listing 1.17 means in simple terms:
This listing applies to people who have had major surgery on a weight-bearing joint—like a hip, knee, or ankle—to treat a serious joint problem. The surgery could be:
- Reconstructive, like a joint replacement, or
- Surgical arthrodesis, where the joint is fused together to reduce pain or improve stability.
To qualify under this listing, you must meet all the following:
- You had surgery on one major weight-bearing joint because of severe arthritis or joint damage,
- Your ability to walk (ambulate) is seriously limited, even after surgery and recovery time, and
- Your walking problems have lasted or are expected to last at least 12 months, despite medical treatment or physical therapy.
SSA is looking for long-term difficulty walking, for example, needing a walker or help from another person to get around, or being unable to carry out daily tasks that require walking or standing.
How To Qualify for Disability With Osteoarthritis
If you meet the technical work and medical criteria for Listing , 1.18 or 1.17, the SSA will approve your application. However, if your condition doesn’t quite meet or equal the criteria, you may qualify at step five of the sequential evaluation process with the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment.
A Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment is a critical component of the Social Security disability evaluation process. It assesses your maximum sustained work capability despite the limitations caused by the osteoarthritis or other medically determinable impairments.
The RFC determines your ability to perform basic work activities, such as standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, reaching, and handling objects, over an 8-hour workday. For example, if you have osteoarthritis in the knee that significantly limits prolonged standing or walking, the RFC may restrict you to sedentary work.
SSA adjudicators compare the RFC findings to your past relevant work (PRW) to determine whether you can return to that work as actually or generally performed. If the RFC precludes performance of PRW, the analysis proceeds to Step 5 of the sequential evaluation process to determine whether you can adjust to other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy.
Vocational factors such as age, education, and past work experience are also considered at this stage. For example, older individuals (especially those age 50 and over) may be found disabled under the Medical-Vocational Guidelines (the “Grid Rules”) even if they retain the capacity for less demanding work, depending on how their RFC aligns with other factors.
Supporting documentation is essential. You should submit comprehensive medical evidence, including clinical findings, imaging studies, treatment history, and any other functional assessments performed by treating or examining physicians. Detailed narrative statements outlining how the impairment affects daily activities and work functions help SSA accurately assess limitations and assign an appropriate RFC.
When applying for benefits, include all medical records and doctor’s statements about your condition. The information can help the Disability Examiner and State Agency Medical Consultant understand and apply your physical limitations to the RFC assessment.
Common Mistakes When Filing for Osteoarthritis Disability
The Social Security Administration thoroughly reviews every application it receives for SSDI benefits. If an application doesn’t clearly illustrate the severity of your osteoarthritis and its impact on your ability to work, the SSA may deny your benefits. Applicants make a few common mistakes that often lead to denials.
Lack of Objective Medical Evidence
While the SSA does consider your subjective symptoms, it looks to medical tests to validate them. Be sure to include X-rays, MRIs, and any other objective tests you’ve undergone for your condition. Disability examiners review them to corroborate your symptoms and understand the severity of your osteoarthritis.
Lack of Detailed Doctor's Statements
Physicians have a reputation for conciseness. That’s a strength when they have many patients to care for and limited time to see each one. However, overly succinct notes won’t help your case, especially if they leave out critical details about your physical limitations.
Before sending your SSDI application, read your medical records from the perspective of a third party with no knowledge of your condition. Do they contain enough details to clearly show your limitations?
For example, if you experience debilitating back pain that leaves you unable to stand for longer than a minute. A doctor’s note saying “patient has regular back pain” is not very helpful or descriptive. A more thorough write-up would help your case.
Incomplete Work History or Functional Reports
The SSA looks at your previous job history to determine whether your condition prevents you from doing similar work. Including a comprehensive description of your duties, work hours, and the limitations you faced in your roles helps inform their decision.
Note specific challenges that you encountered at work due to osteoarthritis. For instance, if joint pain in your fingers prevents you from typing on a computer, the disability examiner needs to know. Include any specifics to support your statements, such as written notes from an employer or subsequent doctor’s visits.
Inconsistent Documentation and Forms
Aim for a cohesive application that clearly outlines your condition’s impact on your daily life and ability to hold substantial gainful employment. Be clear on all fronts—discrepancies in your records or evidence increase the chances of denial.
How Disability Advice Can Help with Your Osteoarthritis Disability Claim
Our team collaborates with experienced advocates who understand what SSA looks for in a successful disability claim. A knowledgeable legal professional can help you gather strong medical evidence and identify weaknesses in your case as the representative guides you through an initial application or an SSDI appeal.
If you are seeking SSDI benefits for osteoarthritis, we can help. Contact us today. All consultations are free, and there are no fees unless you win.
FAQs About Osteoarthritis and SSDI
Can I Get SSDI for Arthritis in My Hands?
It depends on the severity of your arthritis and how it impacts your ability to work. The SSA may approve you for SSDI benefits if you can prove that the arthritis substantially limits your functional capabilities.
Does Age Affect My Ability To Qualify?
Older applicants may find it easier to obtain SSDI benefits, particularly those 55 and over. That’s because if you are younger, the SSA will determine whether you can do any other type of work. The SSA presumes older individuals may have more difficulty switching to another line of work.
What if I Was Denied Disability for Osteoarthritis Before?
If you missed the deadline to appeal your osteoarthritis disability claim, don’t give up, there are still options. You may be able to start a new application, but in some cases, a qualified disability advocate can help you show good cause for filing late, which might allow you to continue your original claim.
Working with an experienced advocate can make a big difference. They’ll help you gather the right medical evidence, complete the forms properly, and present your case in a way that meets Social Security’s requirements, giving you the best possible chance of approval.
Can I Work Part-Time and Still Qualify for SSDI?
The SSA may deny SSDI benefits if your earnings average more than $1,620 monthly, or $2,700 if you’re blind.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
- What Is Osteoarthritis?
- Is Osteoarthritis Considered a Disability by the SSA?
- SSA Listings Relevant to Osteoarthritis
- How To Qualify for Disability With Osteoarthritis
- Common Mistakes When Filing for Osteoarthritis Disability
- How Disability Advice Can Help with Your Osteoarthritis Disability Claim
- FAQs About Osteoarthritis and SSDI
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“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
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