Has osteoporosis caused the bones of your spine to break or collapse? If you are having back pain and problems, your upper back is curving forward, and your bones have become so weak that they break from bumping into an object, your osteoporosis is serious. Osteoporosis can lead to joint pain and frequent bone breaks that can be debilitating and cause you severe limitations—making it difficult and even impossible to hold down a job in Pennsylvania.
If you have osteoporosis and you are finding it difficult to work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) won’t simply approve your disability claim without making sure you qualify for benefits. In order to determine if you are eligible for SSD benefits, examiners with the Social Security office will review your medical records with their listing of impairments.
To obtain disability benefits as a result of your osteoporosis, you will have to show the SSA that your medical condition will:
- Last more than a year
- Affect your ability to do substantial work
- Cause limitations that prevent you from working full-time
- Meet requirements in their listing of impairments
Unfortunately, individuals with osteoporosis won’t qualify for disability benefits unless osteoporosis causes another condition found in Social Security’s impairment listing, known as the Blue Book. This can include:
- Broken bones in the upper body
- Broken bones in the lower body
- Autoimmune disorders
- Kidney disorders
- Parathyroid disorders
- Back problems
- Joint problems
If you don’t have one of these conditions, you might still be able to get your claim approved if you can show that your osteoporosis limits your ability to perform the necessary functions that your job requires, such as standing or sitting for long periods, walking, and lifting. However, it is important to note that the SSA does not approve disability benefits for osteoporosis pain and stiffness alone.
Examiners with the SSA will review your medical records and evaluate your claim based one of the aforementioned impairment listings. If your osteoporosis disability meets the requirements or you are able to show that your impairment is limiting you from doing your job, it is likely you will get approved for disability benefits. Because disability cases can be complex, it is best to work closely with your doctor and to have an SSD lawyer in York, PA on your side to help strengthen your claim.