Social Security Lawyers’ Blog

Can I Get Social Security Disability for Gout?

Our experienced Social Security attorneys have assisted numerous Orange County residents obtain disability for severe Gout. We understand that – in addition to being extremely painful – the inflammation from Gout can render you unable to work.

Gout can be considered either “chronic” or “acute”. The symptoms of both types of gout include pain, swelling, redness, heat, and stiffness in the joints – and it can affect the big toe, ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers, and/or elbows.

Acute Gout is treatable with medications and can be helped by lifestyle changes. Chronic Gout can cause painful deformity of the joints and is much harder to effectively treat.

Social Security Disability for Chronic Gout

Social Security has several specific “impairment listings” set forth in the “Blue Book”. If you can prove that you meet the criteria set forth in the Blue Book you will “automatically” qualify for Social Security Disability.

If you suffer from Chronic Gout, you may be approved “automatically” for disability benefits if your Chronic Gout meets the requirements of the Blue Book’s listing for inflammatory arthritis.

To meet the listing criteria, you must:

1. be diagnosed by a rheumatologist with gout; and
2. experience chronic inflammation or ongoing deformity of either:

• one major weight-bearing joint (e.g., knee, ankle, or hip) resulting in the inability to walk well enough to perform day-to-day activities without assistance, or
• one major joint in each arm (e.g., shoulder, wrist, or hand) resulting in inability to perform day-to-day tasks such as tying shoes, cooking, personal hygiene, writing, etc.

Social Security Disability for Acute Gout

To qualify for Social Security Disability you must prove that your illness or disability will prevent you from working for at least 12 months.

Since the symptoms of acute gout can usually be treated effectively with medication – and typically go away within a matter of weeks – collecting Social Security for acute gout is much less likely. Also, since acute gout can often be prevented or reversed with lifestyle modifications (e.g., quitting alcohol & fatty foods), it may be hard to prove to the SSA that your disability is expected to last at least one year.

For these reasons – if you have debilitating Gout that prevents you from working – it is essential to discuss your case with an experienced Anaheim Social Security disability lawyer.

Anaheim Social Security Lawyers

If you or a family member are suffering from the pain and debilitation of Gout, our compassionate and experienced lawyers are here to help you. We will be happy to offer you a free consultation to evaluate your legal options and help you obtain the maximum compensation for which you qualify.

Our lawyers have helped hundreds of individuals in Orange County, including Long Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim & Irvine, collect the maximum Social Security for which they qualify. Call us today for your free consultation.

The Anaheim area Social security lawyers at Cantrell Green care about every client, and fight tirelessly to obtain the benefits you deserve.

Anaheim Social Security Disability Lawyer Consultation: 800-964-8047