Arthritis is an acute or chronic inflammation of a joint with various causes such as infection, crystal deposition, or injury. There are over 100 different types of arthritis. The most common types of arthritis are:

• Osteoarthritis-also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, arthrosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Septic arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus “Lupus”
• Fibromyalgia
• Scleroderma
• Juvenile arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis

If you are receiving ongoing treatment for arthritis, especially from a medical specialist called a rheumatologist, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Pursuant to 20 CFR 404.1529 and 20 CFR 416.929, SSA will consider your symptoms including but not limited to:

• Persistent joint pain
• Joint tenderness
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Non-specific Fever
• Stiffness

However, to prove to an Adjudicator or an Administrative Law Judge that you are disabled, you must have objective medical evidence from physical examinations by your physician or an examining physician including but not limited to:

• Loss of range of motion or inflexibility
• Crepitus
• Signs of inflammation
• Warmth
• Joint deformity.
• X-ray findings
• Laboratory findings

In order to make your Social Security disability claim stronger, it is important that you describe all your arthritic symptoms. Tell your doctors and, at the hearing, tell the Administrative Law Judge where your pain is located, the frequency and severity of your pain, and the effect pain has on your performance of daily activities. Medications and their side effects, as well as home remedies such as epsom salt baths, ice wraps, and elevation of the legs should also be discussed.

SSA has Medical Listings of Impairments in Sections 1.00 and 14.00 (see Medical Listings on our website www.kathleenflynnlaw.com) which address Musculoskeletal and Immune System Disorders. If your type of arthritis is not in the Medical Listings, you can still be found disabled if your physician finds that you have significant work-related limitations. Our firm has forms for your physician (s) to complete, which will provide Adjudicators at the Georgia Department of Labor, Disability Adjudication Services (DAS), as well as Administrative Law Judges at the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) with the information they need. Call the Law Offices of Kathleen Flynn at 404-479-4431 for help with your Social Security Disability claim.