Facet arthritis is a common condition that can lead to disability and usually affects older adults. Facet arthritis causes severe pain in the spine and can limit a person’s daily activities.
If you’re struggling with this condition, you might be wondering, “Can you get disability with facet arthritis?” The answer is not straightforward, as eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) depends on several factors. However, if your condition prevents you from working, you may qualify for benefits.
Is Facet Arthritis a Disability?
Facet arthritis, also known as facet arthropathy (FA), is a degenerative disease that affects the facet joints. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does consider facet arthritis a disabling condition when it reaches a certain level of severity.
What Is Facet Arthritis?
Facet joints exist at every vertebral level of the spine, with one on each side. These joints allow the spine to move and bend and provide stability by limiting excessive motion.
Facet arthritis occurs when the cartilage covering the joint ends degrades. This degeneration results in the joints rubbing together, causing pain and friction. It can lead to the development of bone spurs and enlargement of the joints.
Typically, pain from this condition stems from the area surrounding the affected joints. However, it can also radiate to other areas and frequently causes back muscles to stiffen and spasm. For example, cervical facet arthritis can lead to pain in the shoulders, ears, and back of the head. Lumbar facet arthritis usually causes low back pain, and pain in the legs and buttocks.
Symptoms of Facet Arthritis
Any type of facet arthritis can have a significant impact on a person’s mobility. Symptoms of facet arthritis may worsen with specific movements or activity that involve the spine, such as rotating, lifting, or even sleep. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Muscle Spasms
- Stiffness (especially in the morning)
- Trouble Turning the Head
- Difficulty Getting Up Out of a Chair
- A Hunched Posture
- Radiating Pain or Referred Pain
- Pain After Driving or Sitting for Long Periods
Can You Get SSDI for Facet Arthritis?
Yes, you can get SSDI for facet arthritis if it leaves you unable to work. SSDI eligibility requires you to prove that your condition prevents you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). SSDI applicants must also have a substantial work history to qualify for benefits. SSDI benefits are only awarded to disabled workers who have paid into the Social Security System.
Can You Get SSI for Facet Arthritis?
If you don’t have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI, you may be eligible for SSI. SSI is a needs-based program for blind, aged, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources. To qualify for SSI for facet arthritis, you must meet the SSA’s eligibility criteria and show that your condition significantly limits your ability to work.
Applying for Disability Benefits
To qualify for disability benefits for facet arthritis, you need to provide substantial medical and non-medical evidence to support your claim. You must also meet the SSA’s definition of disabled by meeting the following criteria:
- Your disability is a medically diagnosed condition
- Your disability is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
- Your disability prevents you from participating in SGA and maintaining gainful employment
Facet Arthritis in the Blue Book
The SSA’s Blue Book is a comprehensive guide used to evaluate medical conditions that qualify for Social Security Disability. It outlines specific criteria for various physical and mental health conditions. The SSA uses the Blue Book to review claims and determine if a condition is severe enough to qualify for disability benefits. The Blue Book includes detailed descriptions of impairments across different body systems, including various types of arthritis.
Different types of arthritis are listed under different impairment categories. For instance, inflammatory arthritis is under Immune System Disorders, section 14.09. While osteoarthritis is usually evaluated under Musculoskeletal Disorders, section 1.00 in the Blue Book.
The SSA may assess a facet arthritis disability claim under section 1.15. This section covers “Disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root(s).”
If your condition doesn’t meet the medical qualifying criteria for this listing, you could still receive benefits. You will simply have to prove your condition is equal in severity to another listing.
If you don’t qualify for disability benefits based on medical criteria, you may need to undergo a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment. This assessment helps determine how severely your condition limits your work capabilities. If you’re unable to perform any previous type of relevant work or adapt to new types of work, you will receive benefits.
Proving Your Disability
The SSA requires comprehensive proof of the severity of your disability. This includes evidence from medical and non-medical sources that explains your level of functionality. This aids the SSA in evaluating the seriousness and duration of your musculoskeletal condition.
Some examples of supporting evidence for facet arthritis claims include:
- Comprehensive medical records (such as test results, physical examination reports, etc.)
- Imaging test results (such as CT scans, X-rays, MRIs)
- Other diagnostic test results
- Current and past treatment plans, including medication and physical therapy
- Response to treatment(s)
- Effects of treatment(s)
- Surgical reports
- Notes from treating physicians
- Proof of the need for assistive devices
- Statements from coworkers, family, and friends about how your condition affects your ability to work
If you’re struggling to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, our skilled disability attorneys in Knoxville, TN, can help. We’ll gather all the necessary medical documentation to build your case and increase your chances of filing successfully.
Contact Drozdowski & Rabin, PLLC
If you’re wondering if facet arthritis qualifies for Social Security Disability, contact our experienced attorneys at Drozdowski & Rabin, PLLC in Knoxville, TN. We are here to fight for the benefits you deserve. Reach out to us online or call (865) 299-7080 for a free consultation!
