Knee Disability: When to File for Social Security Disability Benefits in Fort Lauderdale
When a knee disability makes walking or standing difficult or impossible, it may impact your ability to engage in substantial gainful activity. However, securing Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits for knee problems can be a challenge. Most SSDI claims are denied at first, delaying benefits. While many who are initially denied are eventually approved, too many others are daunted by the process or just don’t know what the Social Security Administration (SSA) is looking for.
Luckily, you have the right to have a Fort Lauderdale Social Security disability representative help with your claim.
Knee Disabilities in the Social Security Blue Book
The SSA takes a two-step approach to determining whether you meet their definition of “disabled.” The first is to look to see whether the disability meets or equals a listing in the Social Security blue book. Each listing has its own set of requirements. If your condition doesn’t meet or equal a listed condition, or if your disability is caused by a combination of conditions, the SSA will move on to a second step that considers more factors.
A Knee Disability Must Impair Your Ability to Walk
Generally, the blue book listings only consider a knee condition disabling if it causes a functional loss resulting in the inability to ambulate effectively–in plain English, significantly impairs walking. This may happen for many reasons, such as loss of range of motion, inability to bear weight on the knee, or amputation of the lower leg.
Loss of function may result from a bone or knee joint deformity, neurological deficits, amputation, or soft tissue injuries. Your ability to ambulate may be evaluated based on your ability to walk or perform fine or gross movements for a sustained period of time.
Some examples of ineffective ambulation that may qualify as a knee disability include the inability to:
- walk without an assistive device (cane, crutches, etc);
- sustain a reasonable walking pace over a typical distance during regular daily activity;
- travel without companion assistance;
- use standard public transportation;
- walk a block on a rough or uneven surface at a reasonable pace; and
- climb a few steps without use of a hand rail
The specific criteria applied will depend on the type of knee disability. 
When Knee Disability May Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits Under a Blue Book Listing
There are multiple listings in the musculoskeletal disorders section of the blue book that may apply when assessing a knee disability for SSDI eligibility. Three of the common types of knee disability are major dysfunction of a knee joint, reconstructive surgery or replacement of the knee joint, and amputation at the knee.
Evidence to support these conditions may be physical, such as proof of an assistive device like a prosthetic leg, walker, or cane. Medical records will help provide evidence of a seriously disabling knee condition and may include surgical reports, neurological testing, and pain management treatments.
Knee Disabilities that Don’t Meet Blue Book Criteria
Many people assume that if they don’t meet a Blue Book listing for a particular medical condition, that means the SSA will find that they are not disabled. That isn’t always true. If you don’t meet or equal a listing, the SSA will consider additional factors in deciding whether or not you are disabled.
These factors include:
- The heaviest level of work you can do in spite of your disability
- Whether you can do the work you did previously
- Your level of education
- Your past work experience and whether you have transferable skills
- Your age
Often, SSDI applicants qualify for disability based on a combination of medical conditions, even though none of the conditions alone would have qualified under the relevant Blue Book listing. In other cases, atypical symptoms may mean the condition is disabling, but not in exactly the way the Blue Book listing anticipated. The standards are also a bit less stringent as you age, particularly if you have a relatively low level of education and have done mostly unskilled work.
The bottom line is that you should never assume you won’t qualify. An experienced Fort Lauderdale disability benefits advocate can help you understand eligibility requirements and what type of medical documentation is typically required in a case like yours.
If you believe you have a knee disability, you owe it to yourself and your family to learn more about your rights and options. A Fort Lauderdale Social Security disability representative can advise you on the specific issues involved when claiming SSDI for knee pain and guide you through the process of applying for disability benefits.
Your advocate can also advise you on when to file for SSDI for a knee injury. You may need to see a specialist for a proper diagnosis and prognosis report stating your condition has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. If you jump the gun and file without property medical documentation, it could result in a denial or delay your access to SSDI benefits. Your representative can help ensure that you have the strongest application possible, and that you are providing the documentation the SSA will be looking for.
Talk to a Fort Lauderdale Social Security Disability representative about Your Knee Disability
We put a lot of weight on our knees every day, and when a knee disability makes walking or standing painful or impossible, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. With the help of a Fort Lauderdale Social Security disability representative, you may file a claim to seek the benefits to which you are entitled.
In an effort to improve services to our clients, we have developed the EZClaim state-of-the-art, customized intake and database system. This digital claims system means less hassle, so you can focus on what’s most important instead of spending your days wading through confusing legalese and legal red tape. When you’re ready to get started, contact the Disability Help Group to begin your claim. Call today — 1-(800)-800-3332.