Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Ankylosing Spondylitis Social Security Disability SSI - Applying for Disability

The musculoskeletal section of the social security administration's impairment listing manual (the actual title of this publication is Disability Evaluation under Social Security) gives specific reference to a number of musculoskeletal impairments including degenerative disc disease and arthritis (specifically osteoarthritis).

Ankylosing spondylitis is not given specific mention. However, that does not mean that a disability claimant who lists this condition when applying for social security disability or SSI cannot be approved. Most physical and mental impairments are not listed in the impairment manual and this simply means that a claimant will need to demonstrate, through their medical records, that they meet the social security definition of disability.

To meet this definition, it must be shown that a claimant's condition is severe, has lasted (or will last) at least a year, and prevents them from engaging in their past work. Usually, "past work" means any job an individual has done in the last 15 years for at least one year.

However, the social security administration's definition of disability does not stop here. If a claimant's records demonstrate that they cannot return to their past, then the next issue to settle is whether or not they can perform some type of other work, as determined by their age, education, level of skills, and rated limitations. Individuals who are found unable to perform some type of other work are eligible for disability benefits.

What follows is basic information on ankylosing spondylitis. For additional information on the social security disability and SSI process, you may choose to follow the link at the top of the page to Disability Secrets.com or, to submit a free case evaluation, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic degenerative systemic inflammatory arthritis, which generally affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. Anklylosing Spondylitis may also affect other joints and body organs such as the heart, lungs, colon, and kidneys.

Ankylosing Spondylitis is an inherited systemic rheumatic autoimmune disease that affects a small percentage of people worldwide. Studies suggest that ninety percent of all cases of ankylosing spondylitis are attributed to individuals with the HLAB27 genotype, and that most individuals with ankylosing spondylitis are male.

The onset of ankylosing spondylitis usually happens between the ages of fifteen and thirty, and is characterized by chronic pain in the lower spine. However there may be other symptoms associated with this ankylosing spondylitis such as iritis, photophobia, mouth ulcers, and fatigue.

Ankylosing spondylitis eventually causes the spine to become totally fused, resulting in a condition known as “bamboo spine”. There is no known cure for ankylosing spondylitis and most treatment involves medication to reduce symptoms and pain. Additional methods of treatment might include surgical replacement of knee and hip joints, physical therapy (a physical therapist needs to be familiar with ankylosing spondylitis, because normal physical therapy exercises may cause harm in an individual with ankylosing spondylitis), and medications that might include immunosuppressive drugs such as methotrexate, cyclosporin, and corticosteroids.

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