Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Qualify For Disability?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) could allow you to qualify for Social Security Disability, but winning the benefits you need can be difficult with this common condition.
Almost every job you can think of requires you to use your hands in some way. Physical jobs cause strain with long hours of using tools, working controls, lifting and carrying heavy objects, climbing, crawling and more. Desk jobs cause repetitive stress to your hands and wrists when you’re sitting and typing all day.
If carpal tunnel syndrome causes enough pain and weakness in your hands, you may be unable to work and earn a living. The surgery and recovery you might need also, of course, keeps you off the job.
Monthly checks from Social Security could help you support yourself while you heal, but actually winning benefits for CTS is hard.
To get disability benefits, you have to prove you can’t hold a job for the long term. Someone who gets treatment for carpal tunnel and can work again in less than a year won’t qualify. If braces or other supports let you keep working, you won’t qualify.
A Detroit disability lawyer from Levine Benjamin Law Firm can tell you more about what you need to craft a convincing disability benefits application and claim the Social Security Disability benefits you truly need if severe carpel tunnel undercuts your livelihood.
We focus on helping people facing health problems and job losses get financial relief. Levine Benjamin has helped over 80,000 people across Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
From applying to appealing, we help you every step of the way.
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Why Is It So Hard to Get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Disability Benefits?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve in your wrist.
People living with CTS can experience a variety of debilitating symptoms, including:
- Weakness that makes it hard to grip objects
- Struggling with fine motor skills
- Chronic pain radiating into the arm
- Tingling or “pins and needles” feeling in the hands and arms
- Numbness in fingers and hands
Any of these symptoms, if intense enough, could make it impossible to do your job, but it can be tough to get the Social Security Administration (SSA) to see it that way.
So why is it so difficult for the SSA to recognize carpal tunnel syndrome as a disability?
One issue is that the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Some people are mildly inconvenienced and may just need to take more breaks during the workday, while others are unable to work at all due to their symptoms.
The American Medical Association said as many as 10 million Americans may experience carpal tunnel syndrome at any given time. It’s widespread, and many people may not think of it as a “disability.”
Another problem is that, regardless of how severe it is, carpal tunnel syndrome is about pain and discomfort that isn’t visible and can be difficult for others to see and understand.
This can make successfully applying for Social Security Disability benefits a challenge, but securing the financial lifeline you need isn’t impossible as long as you know what the SSA looks for.
How Can I Receive Disability Benefits for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
To receive Social Security Disability benefits, you need to be able to show that:
- Your CTS makes it impossible to do your current job.
- You are unable to switch to another line of work due to your CTS (and considering your training, experience and age).
- Your case is severe enough that you can’t expect to get back to work in less than a year.
The SSA will deny your application if you cannot show that your carpal tunnel syndrome interferes with your ability to work and that your symptoms will continue to affect you nearly permanently.
How can you prove this? You need the right evidence. The more you have to back up your disability claim, the better.
Some items that could strengthen your case include:
- Medical records that show evidence of persistent pain and weakness
- Medication and therapy records that show your symptoms have not improved with treatment
- Statements from friends and family members who have witnessed your struggles with CTS
- Statements from employers and coworkers about how your CTS prevents you from performing work tasks
- Journals detailing the impact that carpal tunnel syndrome has had on you in your daily life
Many people get rejected when they apply for disability benefits. This is normal.
You have several chances to appeal after a Social Security Disability denial, so read your denial letter, see what kinds of issues the SSA had with your application, and make a plan to improve your case.
This process can be overwhelming, especially when you’re worried about your health and how you’re going to pay your bills. This is why we don’t recommend trying this on your own.
Get an experienced disability lawyer to help you through it.
Get Help with Your Carpal Tunnel Disability Claim
The attorneys at Levine Benjamin Law Firm have decades of experience helping people win benefits they need to stabilize their lives after health disruptions.
We’ve helped clients from Toledo to Detroit to Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Flint and around the Midwest make their cases to the SSA.
We’re ready to fight for you, and you won’t pay any attorney fees until you win.
Our disability attorneys can help you figure out if you would qualify for Social Security Disability. We can help you with your initial application, or we can assist you if you have already been denied for benefits.
Contact our Detroit disability lawyers and ask to schedule your free case evaluation today.