If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, you could be eligible for Social Security disability benefits; however, the process of getting disability benefits is often long and complex. With the help of a Social Security attorney in Greenville, SC, you can get help qualifying for benefits.
At Pilzer Klein, our local qualifications for social security disability lawyers in Greenville, SC can help you gather evidence of your osteoarthritis to get the necessary benefits. We will give you a free consultation to determine if your condition qualifies you for benefits.
What Is Osteoarthritis, and How does It Impact Your Ability to Work?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects your cartilage, the protective cushion between bones. Over time, cartilage breaks down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the affected joints.
Commonly affected joints include the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Osteoarthritis can make it challenging to perform regular work tasks that involve standing, walking, lifting, or repetitive movements, depending on the severity and location of the condition.
For a free legal consultation with a osteoarthritis lawyer serving Greenville, call 864-235-0234
Qualifying for Social Security Disability with Osteoarthritis
To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in Greenville, SC, due to osteoarthritis, you must meet the criteria set forth by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA uses five steps to determine if you qualify for disability benefits:
- Substantial gainful activity (SGA): The first step involves assessing whether you are engaged in substantial gainful activity. In 2023, the SGA limit is $1,470 monthly gross income for non-blind individuals and $2,460 gross income for blind individuals. If your gross income exceeds these amounts, the SSA may consider you capable of substantial work and deny your claim.
- Severity of impairment: Osteoarthritis must be severe enough to significantly impact your ability to perform basic work activities for at least 12 consecutive months. Medical evidence, including imaging results, treatment records, and doctor’s statements, is a large part of demonstrating the severity of your condition.
- Listing of impairments: The SSA has a Listing of Impairmentsthat outlines medical conditions considered severe enough to automatically qualify for disability benefits. Osteoarthritis is evaluated under the musculoskeletal system listing, and you must meet specific criteria outlined in this section to qualify.
- Past relevant work: The SSA will assess whether your osteoarthritis allows you to perform any of your past relevant work. If they determine that you can, your claim may be denied. If not, they will proceed to the final step.
- Other work: The SSA will evaluate whether there is another type of work you can perform based on your age, education, work experience, and residual functional capacity (RFC). If the SSA finds that there is no work you can do, considering these factors, you will be approved for disability benefits.
Greenville Osteoarthritis Lawyer Near Me 864-235-0234
How Our Social Security Disability Attorneys Can Help in Greenville
Filling out the Social Security Disability application and going through the appeal process can be complex and overwhelming, especially when dealing with osteoarthritis. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to assisting individuals in Greenville, SC, who are struggling with osteoarthritis to obtain the disability benefits they deserve. Here’s how we can help you:
Gathering and Organizing Medical Evidence
Gathering and organizing comprehensive medical evidence is an important aspect of a successful osteoarthritis disability claim. We understand the importance of presenting a clear and convincing case to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Our experienced team of Social Security disability attorneys in Greenville, SC, will work closely with your healthcare providers to obtain all relevant medical records, including diagnostic imaging results, test reports, and physician statements.
We know the specific medical evidence the SSA looks for when evaluating osteoarthritis claims; therefore, we will ensure your documentation effectively demonstrates the severity of your condition and its impact on your ability to work. By meticulously organizing your medical evidence, we aim to strengthen your claim and increase your chances of a positive outcome.
Understanding SSA’s Criteria
Comprehending the SSA’s criteria for qualifying with osteoarthritis can be complex. Still, our team of Social Security disability lawyers at Pilzer Klein is well-versed in the intricacies of the disability evaluation process. With over 50 years of combined experience in Social Security Disability law, we have an in-depth understanding of the specific requirements the SSA looks for in a successful claim. We will thoroughly assess your case, making sure that you meet the necessary criteria to qualify for disability benefits.
Our experience allows us to guide you through the application process efficiently and effectively, saving you time and unnecessary stress. Trusting our knowledgeable attorneys means you can rest assured that your claim is in capable hands.
Appealing Denied Claims
If your initial osteoarthritis disability claim is denied, it’s essential not to lose hope. Our team is experienced in handling the appeals process and will fight vigorously for your rights. Our Greenville, SC, Social Security disability appeals lawyersbegin by filing a Request for Reconsideration, where we will carefully review your case and identify any potential gaps in the initial claim.
Our Greenville, SC, Social Security disability attorneys will gather additional evidence and present a compelling case to the SSA during this stage. We will represent you in an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, advocating passionately if necessary. We also handle Appeals Council reviews if we need to take your case further.
Maximizing Your Benefits
Osteoarthritis can manifest differently in each individual, and its impact on your life may be unique. We are committed to ensuring that your disability benefits accurately reflect the extent of your condition’s effects. We will meticulously assess your medical evidence, work history, and daily limitations to help you obtain the maximum benefits you are entitled to.
Our Greenville, SC, Social Security disability attorneys will leave no detail overlooked, advocating for your rights and striving for the best possible outcome. We are dedicated to maximizing your benefits to provide you with the support you need.
Communication With the SSA
The SSA can be intimidating to communicate with, but with our law firm, you won’t have to face it alone. Our attorneys will handle all communication with the SSA on your behalf, making sure that your rights are protected and that you don’t miss any important deadlines.
We understand the importance of clear and effective communication in the disability application process, and we will keep you informed about the progress of your claim every step of the way. Relying on our team means you can focus on your health and well-being while we handle your disability claim.
Personalized Attention
We recognize that each individual’s case is unique and treat our clients with the respect, care, and attention they deserve. When you choose us, you are not just a case number but a valued client. We will take the time to understand your specific circumstances, listen to your concerns, and tailor our approach to meet your needs.
Our compassionate attorneys will guide you through the entire disability application or appeals process, offering support and reassurance. With our law firm working for you, you can be confident that you have a dedicated team by your side, advocating for your rights and working tirelessly to secure the benefits you rightfully deserve.
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Contact Us for a Free Consultation Today
Living with osteoarthritis can be challenging, but you don’t have to undergo the Social Security Disability process alone. Our experienced team of Social Security disability attorneys at Pilzer Klein is here to support you in your pursuit of disability benefits for osteoarthritis in Greenville, SC.
We will work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf and provide you with the guidance and representation you need to increase your chances of a successful outcome. If you have any questions or want to get started with your Social Security Disability claim, contact ustoday for a free consultation.
Call or text 864-235-0234 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
