Gout is a very complex and painful form of arthritis that is caused by a build up of uric acid. This excess of uric acid in the body often causes kidney stones as well as uric acid deposits in the joints. Gout most frequently affects the joints in the big toe; however the ankles, knees, heels, wrists, and any other major joints may also be affected. Symptoms of gout include:

• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Redness
• Pain
• Burning
• Joints that are tender to the touch

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Gout

There are two different types of gout—acute and chronic. Those who suffer from acute gout may be able to recover with the help of treatments and lifestyle changes. Chronic gout, however, can cause reoccurring and ongoing joint problems that make it very difficult to work.

If your acute gout has caused a deformity, or if you suffer from chronic symptoms, you may be able to receive approval for Social Security Disability benefits. The key to gaining approval is to meet the requirements included in the Social Security Disability blue book.

Qualifying for SSD Benefits Due to Inflammatory Arthritis

Because gout is a form of arthritis, the SSA will likely evaluate your symptoms using the requirements listed under inflammatory arthritis. This listing states that in order to be eligible for approval, you must be diagnosed with gout, and suffer from one of the following limitations:

• Your condition has caused damaged to your ankle, knee, hip, or any other major weight-bearing joint, in a manner that makes it significantly difficult for you to walk without a walker or two crutches.
• Your condition has caused damage in a major joint in each arm, such as your hand, shoulder, or wrist—making it significantly difficult for you to perform activities of daily living. This includes grasping, pushing, pulling, or lifting.

Of course, even if you do not meet these requirements specifically, it may still be possible for you to receive approval for SSD benefits because of your gout. If you do not meet these requirements, but your symptoms or treatments make it impossible for you to work, you may be able to receive approval by demonstrating your limitations.

Medical Documentation Necessary When Applying for SSD Benefits for Gout

Because acute gout can often be treated with medication and lifestyle changes, it is essential that you provide adequate medical documentation demonstrating that you have sought proper treatments, and that you continue to suffer from complications. If your gout has lasted for less than 12 months, it will be very important to demonstrate that you have not responded favorably to treatment.

Necessary medical evidence may include:

• Physician’s notes detailing the severity of your symptoms
• History of treatments, and your response to those treatments
• Imaging results of the major joints affected
• Any other applicable lab results or reports pertaining to the frequency and severity of your symptoms

The Importance of Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney

Many people who have gout are denied each year because their applications do not satisfy the requirements.

You can reduce the risk of being rejected and receive the help that you need by hiring an experienced Social Security Disability attorney. By doing so, you can benefit from the knowledge and advise that will keep you from making common application mistakes.

The Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV, is an extremely contagious variant of the herpes family of viruses. Studies have shown that roughly 95% if all adults have been exposed to this virus at some point in their lives. The virus remains dormant in the body for the rest of your life, and can be passed to others, even when you are not showing symptoms. They symptoms of EBV can include:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Aches
• Headache
• Nasal Congestion

In some cases, the Epstein-Barr virus can lead to mononucleosis, often referred to as mono, which can result in:

• Extreme fatigue
• Enlarged spleen
• Swollen glands
• Rash

Applying for Social Security Disability When Diagnosed with Epstein-Barr

Most people who contract EBV recover from their symptoms within a few months. However, some individuals suffer from chronic pain, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating, for a much longer period of time—making it difficult to work. If you are a chronic sufferer of the Epstein-Barr virus, and you are unable to perform at any type of job, you might consider applying for Social Security Disability benefits.

The duration of your illness will be one of the biggest obstacles to face when applying. The SSA requires that, in order to be eligible for benefits, your disability must limit your ability to work for more than twelve months. If it has been less than 12 months since you were diagnosed with EBV, you will need to provide substantial evidence that due to the severity of your condition, or other complications, your symptoms are expected to last longer than a year.

Qualifying for SSD Benefits Due to Epstein-Barr Virus Symptoms

In order to receive approval for Social Security Disability benefits, your symptoms must meet the requirements of at least one of the SSA’s listings. You can also complete a physical residual functional capacity assessment, demonstrating that your EBV symptoms limit your ability to work.

Epstein-Barr often causes aches and pains throughout the body. If your chronic symptoms make it difficult for you to perform common job-related tasks, such as lifting objects, pushing, pulling, standing, or walking, you may be able to meet the requirements of a listing.

Chronic fatigue is another EBV symptom that the SSA may evaluate when determining your eligibility. Many people suffering from the Epstein-Barr virus are unable to work a complete 8-hour day without many breaks. This factor would be taken into consideration when determining your ability to work.

Medical Evidence Needed When Applying for SSD Benefits for Epstein-Barr

It can be very challenging to gather the medical documentation necessary to receive approval for Social Security Disability benefits. You not only need to demonstrate that your symptoms are severe enough to limit your abilities, but also that the symptoms are expected to last for more than 12 months. Examples of the documentation you need to provide include:

• Physician’s notes explaining your symptoms and prognosis
• History of treatments and your response to those treatments
• Documentation illustrating any complications caused by the EBV
• History of hospitalizations related to the EBV

The Importance of Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney When Applying

Epstein-Barr may affect you quite unexpectedly, forcing you to stop working suddenly. If you expect that you won’t be able to return to work for quite some time, you will need to receive Social Security Disability benefits as soon as possible to protect yourself financially. In order to increase your chances of receiving approval, it is strongly recommended that you enlist the services of an experienced Social Security Disability attorney.

Diverticulitis is characterized by the inflammation or infection of the pouches or sacs in the inner lining of the colon and large intestine. The symptoms of diverticulitis include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Fever
• Pain in the stomach
• Bloating and gas

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Diverticulitis

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS) occurs when a serious injury does not heal correctly. This syndrome is characterized by ongoing severe pain and sensitivity that persists long after the initial injury occurs. The symptoms of CRPS may include:

• Swelling and pain
• Changes in skin texture
• Sensitivity to touch or temperature
• Joint stiffness or damage
• Muscle spasms

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a chronic psychological disorder that generally causes repetitive, unwanted thoughts. These thoughts cause individuals with OCD to feel compelled to do the same tasks over and over. These behaviors are typically associated with a specific fear. For example, a fear of germs or illness may cause a person with OCD to wash his or her hands repeatedly.

The symptoms of OCD include:

Neuralgia is a chronic condition that directly affects the pain receptors in your body. Those who suffer from this condition often experience a sudden shock of acute pain in specific points in the body at random times. Some individuals experience these episodes of pain very infrequently. Others can experience multiple episodes in one day.

Neuralgia is most commonly experienced in the face. This is known as trigeminal neuralgia, but this condition can occur at any nerve ending. The symptoms for this condition may include:

• Numbness
• Increased sensitivity to movement and touch
• Sharp, burning pain
• Weakness or paralysis of muscles

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Neuralgia

For those who have extremely severe neuralgia symptoms, working can be impossible. If neuralgia limits your ability to work, you may need social security disability benefits in order to support yourself financially.

Applying for SSD assistance can be extremely tricky with neuralgia, as it is not listed in the Social Security Administrations blue book. Qualifying for benefits with neuralgia is made even more difficult because there is no clear way to diagnose this condition. However, there are many symptoms that are caused by neuralgia that can help you qualify for benefits under a different blue book listing.

Neuralgia Symptoms that Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits

To qualify for disability benefits with Neuralgia, the Social Security Administration will consider the following:

• The location, frequency, duration, and intensity of your pain
• Your ability to perform daily activities
• The medication, and its side effects, that you take to control your symptoms
• Treatments you have undertaken to alleviate your pain, such as physical therapy, and the results of those treatments

Medical Evidence and Documentation Needed to Receive SSD Benefits

When applying for SSD for neuralgia, it is essential to provide thorough evidence of your symptoms. As your primary limiting symptom is likely going to be chronic pain, this is going to be more difficult to document. Examples of medical evidence needed may include:

• Any x-rays, lab results, or scans that would show causes of your pain
• Letters from your physicians describing the severity and frequency of your symptoms
• History of treatments and medications taken and how they affected your ability to control the pain

Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney When Applying for Benefits

Applying for benefits when you have neuralgia can be extremely difficult. There is little known about the causes of this condition, and it is impossible to definitively prove that you have it. The best way to finally receive assistance from the SSA is to hire a Social Security Disability attorney that is experienced at handling these types of cases.

A skilled professional can help you gather all of the extensive medical evidence you need to demonstrate that you are a qualified candidate.

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder. Those who suffer from this disorder experience uncontrollable muscle contractions throughout the entire body or in one specific muscle or muscle group. Dystonia generally affects more women than men, and can cause mild to severe symptoms, including:

• Cramping of the feet or legs
• Uncontrollable blinking
• Difficulty speaking
• Involuntary movements

Applying for Social Security Disability When Suffering from Dystonia

Some individuals that have dystonia may easily be able to continue working; therefore, it is not specifically listed in the Social Security Disability blue book. However, others who have dystonia experience severe symptoms that make it impossible to maintain employment. To qualify for Social Security Disability, applicants must prove that their symptoms keep them from working.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Dystonia

If you suffer from many of the following severe symptoms because of your dystonia, you may be able to receive approval:

• Restricted mobility that makes it difficult or impossible to push, carry, pull, or lift items
• Significant difficulty running, walking, or standing for extended periods of time
• Trouble communicating affectively due to trouble controlling the tongue and jaw muscles
• Chronic pain that makes it impossible for you to focus on tasks or attend work regularly
• The condition has led to severe depression or anxiety

Medical Evidence to Receive Social Security Disability Benefits for Dystonia

Applicants must be able to demonstrate using concrete evidence that his or her condition or treatments, make it impossible to maintain any type of job. Necessary medical evidence may include:

• Summary of hospitalizations or clinic visits
• Any relevant lab, MRI, CT Scan, or X-Ray results
• Notes from physicians detailing the severity of your symptoms
• History of your treatments and your body’s response to those treatments
• Any other relevant medical documentation regarding your symptoms

The Importance of Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney

Many people with dystonia are turned down for SSD assistance because they did not have a Social Security Disability Attorney review their application before submitting. Your attorney can help you gather all of the many medical documents and other necessary information to help you greatly increase your chances of receiving a swift approval.

Dysautonomia is a broad term used to describe any disorder of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls the organs and bodily functions such as heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, and digestion. Examples of autonomic nervous system disorders include:

• Orthostatic hypertension
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
• Multiple system atrophy (MSA)
• Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH)
• Pure autonomic failure (PAF)

These disorders can affect many different body systems, and therefore result in a diverse range of symptoms, including:

• Digestive problems
• Nerve and muscle pain
• Fainting
• Sleep disorders
• Fatigue
• And many more

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits for Dysautonomia

Some people who suffer from dysautonomia experience mild symptoms, while others are not quite so fortunate. Depending upon the type of autonomic nervous system disorder you have and the severity of your symptoms, you may find it very difficult to work.

If your symptoms are severe you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

Meeting the SSD Blue Book Requirements for Approval with Dysautonomia

Your specific disorder might not be listed in the SSD blue book, but the symptoms you experience may meet the requirements of a different blue book listing. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may qualify for disability benefits:

• Significant difficulty standing, sitting, or walking for extended periods of time
• Trouble lifting, pushing, grasping, or raising your arms above your head
• Chronic pain that makes it difficult for you to focus or causes you to miss significant amounts of work

Additionally, if any of your symptoms make it dangerous for you to work, you may also qualify for benefits. For example, some of the specific dysautonomic disorders cause a significant risk of fainting, which would make working at many types of jobs very hazardous.

Medical Evidence to Provide When Applying for Social Security Disability

You will need to provide thorough documentation that demonstrates the severity of the symptoms that limit your ability to work. This will largely depend on the type of disorder you have, but can include:

• Lab reports and medical imaging results (X-rays, CT scans, etc.)
• Letters from your physicians detailing the severity of your symptoms and your physical limitations
• History of treatments and medications prescribed, and your response to these treatments
• Summary of past hospitalizations related to your disorder

The Importance of Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney

There are a large number of people who suffer from dysautonomia and many of them have very controllable symptoms. This makes it especially difficult for those who suffer from severe and limiting symptoms to prove that their disorders are not quite as manageable. If you need to prove that your condition makes it difficult or impossible for you to work, it is strongly recommended that you enlist the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability attorney who can help you put together a very strong application.

If you have club foot, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits depending upon the severity of your condition. Club foot is a fairly common birth defect that results in the foot being twisted inward and down. Half of those with club foot have both feet affected by the condition.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth, which is also known as CMT, is a genetic disorder that affects the peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves are any nerves outside the spinal cord or brain. The symptoms of this disorder are often present in childhood, but may not manifest until early adulthood. The symptoms of CMT can include: