Social Security Disability & SSI Benefits: Hands & Fingers

Winning Your Case

Qualifying for Social Security & SSI disability benefits with a hand impairment means you abide by both Social Security’s Non-Medical Criteria and Disability Criteria.

Abiding by the disability criteria means –

1. You learn how Social Security evaluates hand or finger conditions which is addressed on this page,
2. You satisfy a Social Security Listing or you have disabling Functional Limitations which is addressed on the next page, and
3. You Submit Winning Evidence whcih is addressed on the final page.

What Social Security Needs To See In A Hand Or Finger Case

Social Security realizes that a hand or finger condition can be disabling. Hand and finger conditions and symptoms can be the result of many different kinds of circumstances – traumatic incidents, or a host of non-traumatic medical conditions. You will need to supply Social Security with your medical records and other evidence establishing your medical case and your disability. Your evidence must include 1) a diagnosis of your medical condition determined by medical testing (e.g., MRI, CT, EMGs, or x-rays), 2) symptoms, 3) a medical regimen showing treatment measures, and 4) the specific ways your hand or finger condition is disabling – your limitations.

The most common hand or finger medical conditions include:

1. Hand & Finger Fracture. A fractured or broken hand or finger is reset (hardware may be necessary so the bones can fuse properly). Casting or bracing is the norm. Generally, Social Security will determine that this type of impairment is not disabled because it does not meet the disability durational requirement (medical condition lasted 12 months, will last 12 months, or results in death). Most recover from a hand or finger fracture in about six weeks to six months. Thus, for this type of impairment for Social Security benefits, you must have ongoing complications – bone non-union, severe infection(s), or a failed surgery wherein your hand symptoms continue or worsen.
2. Hand & Finger Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis damages the joint cartilage and can produce bone spurs in the hands or fingers. A debridement may be performed to takeout all or part of the damaged cartilage or bone spurs. In severe cases, an arthroplasty (replacing a damaged hand or finger joint with an artificial one) of arthrodesis (fusion of a finger or hand joint with or without hardware) may be necessary.
3. Hand & Finger Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid arthritis affects the synovial membrane joint linings in your hands and commonly causes deformities. Surgeries include
   • Synovectomy (removal of the synovial membrane),
   • Tenosynovectomy (removal of a tendon sheath),
   • Tendon realignment,
   • Reconstructive surgery or arthroplasty (replacing a damaged hand or finger joint with an artificial one), and
   • Arthrodesis (fusion of a finger or hand joint with or without hardware).
4. Hand & Finger Tendon or Nerve Damage. Many types of circumstances and medical conditions cause tendon and nerve damage. Surgeries include repairing a damaged or cut tendon or nerve or taking out the tendon or nerve and replacing it with a graft (donor).

Other hand and finger conditions can also be disabling:

1. Burns,
2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,
3. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/RSD,
4. Deformities,
5. Gout,
6. Diabetes-Related Conditions,
7. Neuropathy,
8. Psoriatic Arthritis,
9. Raynaud’s Disease,
10. Sjogren’s, and
11. Skin Conditions.

Social Security will review your medical records and look to see if you suffer the usual hand and finger condition symptoms include the following: pain, swelling, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and numbness.

Social Security will also review your medical records to see if you have received treatment which varies depending on the type of medical condition you have. Common treatment includes medications, gloves, braces, injections, physical therapy, and surgeries. If you need gloves or braces, make sure your doctor has prescribed either or get a doctor statement they are needed. If you undergo a surgery, it will indicate that your condition is worse than if you do not. Failed surgeries are common.

Disability is based on limitations, and hand functional limitations are common – reaching, gross handling, fine manipulation (fingering), lifting, and carrying. What limitations are needed to prove disability is discussed on the next page.