How does the SSA address claims involving musculoskeletal disorders?

When it comes to claims involving musculoskeletal disorders, the Social Security Administration (SSA) follows a specific process to determine disability benefits for individuals. Musculoskeletal disorders include conditions that affect the muscles, joints, bones, and related tissues.

Evidence for disability claims

Individuals filing for disability benefits due to musculoskeletal impairments need to provide evidence of their condition. This can include medical records, doctor's diagnoses, treatment history, and any functional limitations imposed by the disorder.

Disability determination process

During the evaluation process, the SSA considers the impact of the musculoskeletal condition on the individual's ability to work. They assess the individual's residual functional capacity (RFC) to determine if they can perform their past work or adjust to other types of work.

SSA may also request additional evaluations from medical professionals or consultative exams to gather more information about the severity of the musculoskeletal impairment.

If the SSA determines that the individual's musculoskeletal condition meets the criteria for disability, they may be eligible for benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).