How To Get Social Security Disability & SSI Benefits: Gout

Winning Your Case

You or your child can win a gout Social Security disability and SSI case and obtain benefits with adherence to two criteria. First, Non-Medical Criteria. Second, Disability Criteria.

Adherence to the disability criteria means –

1. You know how Social Security looks at gout (discussed on this page),
2. You satisfy the Social Security gout Listing (also discussed on this page) or you have disabling Functional Limitations (discussed on the next page), and
3. You Submit Winning Evidence (discussed on the last page).

Social Security’s Judgment About Your Gout Medical File

Social Security will conduct a detailed evaluation of your gout disability case. Gout is a form of arthritis that develops when you have uric acid levels in your blood that form monosodium urate crystals in your joints. It is the crystals that cause the majority of gout symptoms, and Social Security is aware of the following regular symptoms:

1. Pain,
2. Joint swelling,
3. Stiffness,
4. Numbness,
5. Joint warmth, and.
6. Reduced range of motion.

Gout more commonly affects the feet, ankle, and knee. But, it can also affect the hand, wrist, and elbow. Gout can be acute or chronic. Acute gout is often called a gout attack, or a flare, where the crystals are caused to move, causing sudden symptoms. Chronic gout occurs when you have high uric acid levels for a long time period causing more regular symptoms and more frequent gout attacks.

In the review of your disability claim, Social Security will seek out what tests establish your gout diagnosis. These tests include a blood test to determine whether you have elevated uric acid levels and a joint fluid test (from the affected joint) to determine if you have monosodium urate crystals.

Your medical records are king in your Social Security case as they demonstrate the nature of your gout disability. Treatment is limited to medications: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine are the most common. Corticosteroids (Predisone) and medications that reduce uric acid levels (allopurinol) are also prescribed.

Since gout primarily affects the extremities, Social Security will generally need to see very severe symptoms to conclude your gout is disabling. If your gout affects your lower extremities, you will need to show Social Security you must either elevate your lower extremities or you cannot stand and walk throughout the day to be found disabled. If your gout affects your upper extremities, you will need to show Social Security severe limitations in your reaching, handling, and fingering (fine manipulation).

Gout: Adult Social Security & SSI Listing

The Adult Listing 14.09. The gout listing requires you meet one of four criteria –

1. Swelling of upper and lower extremities joints causing very serious use restrictions,
2. Joint swelling and the involvement of a body organ or global body symptoms,
3. Ankylosing spondylitis and resulting symptoms, or
4. Joint swelling causing significant symptoms and daily functioning limitations.