Joint replacements such as knees and hips can be important factors in deciding whether you are eligible for Social Security Disability.
Age always factors into Social Security Disabiliy.
For instance, if you are under 50 years of age and have had knee or hip replacements then you must prove that you are unable to perform any job.
This may be done through showing that your pain is so extreme that it keeps you from being able to concentrate for large parts of the day or will cause you to be absent at least 2 days a month.
You will most likely need to show that you are actively engaged in pain management, or that there are have been problems with the joint replacements.
If you are 50 years of age or older, then you may have an easier time proving disability if your past work involved standing and walking most of the day and lifting over 20 pounds.
A knee or hip replacement will probably keep you from standing or walking a lot because of the pain.
Some people run into problems because they have a history of sit down work.
The Judges want to put you back into these sit down jobs even with multiple joint replacements.
The best approach in these type of cases is to show chronic pain that severely impairs staying on task throughout the day. Multiple doctor visits with pain complaints, and serious pain medications, or injections will help support your case.
Questions about your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.