Written By: Gayle Gonzalez Conner
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis — a disease hat causes red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Joint pain, stiffness and swelling are the main signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Systemic inflammation can lead to brain fog and chronic fatigue making it difficult to concentrate on your work and complete tasks. Fatigue and distraction due to pain are also common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. The disorder can affect any part of the body, including your fingertips and spine, and can range from relatively mild to severe. In both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, disease flares can alternate with periods of remission.
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are both autoimmune disorders. The body’s immune system will attack cells and tissues that are healthy when this condition is present. Many people can manage the condition by using medications that are targeted to specific symptoms. Unfortunately, there are some sufferers who are not able to get the relief they need from treatments.
Receiving Disability Benefits
To be approved for disability benefits, you must prove that you have a condition that’s either fatal or has lasted (or is expected to way is to meet the requirements for a listing maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Since people who have this type of arthritis also have psoriasis, they may be eligible for benefits through the Dermatitis listing.
The SSA has a guide called the Blue Book that lists conditions that qualify for disability. The SSA evaluates psoriatic arthritis under the listing last) for at least 12 months and prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity.
There are two ways for individuals to qualify for benefits when suffering from psoriatic arthritis. One way is to meet the requirements for a listing maintained by the SSA. Since people who have this type of arthritis also have psoriasis, they may be eligible for benefits through the Dermatitis listing.
The SSA has a guide called the Blue Book that lists conditions that qualify for disability. The SSA evaluates psoriatic arthritis under the listing for inflammatory arthritis – Listing 14.09. However, it is the severity of the arthritis that counts. The SSA evaluates whether or not your arthritis is severe enough to prevent you from working.
According to Section 14.09, to be approved for disability benefits you must also meet at least one of the following sets of criteria:
A. Persistent inflammation or persistent deformity of:
1. One or more major peripheral joints in a lower extremity and medical documentation of at least one of the following:
- A documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands; or
- An inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements, and a documented medical need for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device that requires the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand; or
2. One or more major peripheral joints in each upper extremity and medical documentation of an inability to use both upper extremities to the extent that neither can be used to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements.
OR
B. Inflammation or deformity in one or more major joints of an upper or a lower extremity with:
1. Involvement of two or more organs/body systems with one of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity; and
2. At least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss).
OR
C. Ankylosing spondylitis or other spondyloarthropathies, with:
1. Ankylosis (fixation) of the dorsolumbar or cervical spine as shown by appropriate medically acceptable imaging and measured on physical examination at 45° or more of flexion from the vertical position (zero degrees); or
2. Ankylosis (fixation) of the dorsolumbar or cervical spine as shown by appropriate medically acceptable imaging and measured on physical examination at 30° or more of flexion (but less than 45°) measured from the vertical position (zero degrees), and involvement of two or more organs/body systems with one of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity.
OR
D. Repeated manifestations of inflammatory arthritis, with at least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss) and one of the following at the marked level:
1. Limitation of activities of daily living.
2. Limitation in maintaining social functioning.
3. Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace.
I Do Not Meet The Listing For Psoriatic Arthritis
If you do not meet the specific criteria outlined in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments for Psoriatic Arthritis, you can still be approved for disability benefits.
The SSA will then assess your residual functional capacity (RFC). RFC is a medical assessment that determines what work-related activities an individual can still do despite their impairments. In other words, RFC is an assessment of the maximum extent of work-related physical and mental activities an individual with psoriatic arthritis can still perform despite their limitations. Based on the activities you can and cannot do as a result of your psoriatic arthritis, you may be deemed capable of performing sedentary, light, medium or heavy work. This assessment along with your medical records could help show that you qualify for social security disability benefits.
Residual Functional Capacity
- This evaluates your ability to perform activities and work despite your disability.
- The SSA determines your RFC by considering:
- Medical Evidence: Your medical records, including doctor’s notes, test results, and treatment history.
- Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms: How your symptoms affect your ability to perform daily tasks and work activities.
- Functional Limitations: The specific limitations you have in areas like walking, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and using your hands.
- If your functional limitations from psoriatic arthritis prevent you from performing any job, you may be considered disabled and eligible for benefits.
Required Medical Evidence
To qualify for social security disability benefits based on psoriatic arthritis, you must provide comprehensive medical evidence demonstrating that your condition severely limits your ability to work.
Examples of supportive medical evidence include:
- A confirmed diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis by a rheumatologist or other qualified physician.
- The diagnosis must be supported by clinical findings, such as joint inflammation, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
- Documentation of persistent symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue, or reduced range of motion.
- X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds showing joint damage or inflammation.
- Blood tests (e.g., ESR, CRP) indicating systemic inflammation.
- Skin biopsy or dermatological records confirming psoriasis.
- Blood or lab test results showing markers of inflammation (e.g., ESR, CRP).
- Doctor’s notes about your condition.
- Your treatment plan.
- Report of how the treatment is working.
- Medications prescribed.
- Any side effects from medication that impair your ability to work.
- Detailed functional assessment from your doctor describing how your condition limits your ability to work.
We Can Help You Win Social Security Disability Benefits
At LaBovick Law Group, we can help you file for Social Security disability benefits if you are suffering from psoriatic arthritis. If you would like help with your application, consider speaking with an experienced disability attorney. Most disability attorneys offer free consultations, so you can get a sense of the strengths and weaknesses of your claim and what you will need to qualify for disability.
