Arthritis and osteoporosis are significant contributors to disability, with almost 16% (in 2003) of Australians with a disability reporting one of the two to be their main disabling condition.
Osteoporosis is not considered a qualifying disability by itself, but it may be associated with conditions that do qualify, such as repeat fractures.
Osteoarthritis is a supported condition under APM's Disability Employment Services. APM offers Disability Employment Services, a government-funded program that helps people with illnesses, injuries, and disabilities find and keep jobs.
People who have osteoporosis are prone to breaking bones, so if you've broken a bone, you might qualify for disability benefits. To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must have worked to earn enough credits and paid in enough taxes to the Social Security Administration.
You are unable to work or re-train
You must be able to show that your medical conditions stop you from: working for at least 15 hours a week, and. being trained to do a job you have not done before by doing, for example, an education course or on-the-job training.
The impairment rating helps us assess if you meet the general medical rules for DSP. To meet these rules, you need to have either: an impairment rating of 20 points or more on a single Impairment Table. 20 points or more in total on more than one Impairment Table and meet the Program of Support rules.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not consider osteoporosis a disability by itself, but if it can be proved that the osteoporosis has caused other medical conditions which are listed in the Blue Book then it may qualify for a disability benefit.
You should be able to continue working if you have osteoporosis. It's very important that you remain physically active. This will help keep your bones healthy.
It's not clear why people with osteoporosis may experience fatigue, but it could be because your body is lacking in vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to both poor bone health and make you feel tired. Another connection may be between certain medications taken for osteoporosis.
To be approved, your osteoarthritis must be well supported by medical evidence. The more medical treatment you receive, the more credibility your claim will have. If you allege severe pain, but your MRIs reveal nothing, it will be a difficult claim to prove.
Social Security Disability Benefits for Osteoarthritis
If you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and the pain and stiffness resulting from the disease make it impossible for you to work, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits.
Yes, you can get a disability benefit for osteoarthritis of the spine, knee, and/or hip, so long as the severity and symptoms of your osteoarthritis meet the criteria of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Blue Book listing.
Osteoporosis is the major cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and in older men. Fractures can occur in any bone but happen most often in bones of the hip, vertebrae in the spine, and wrist.
There is no cure for osteoporosis, but the symptoms of the disease can be managed with medicines and lifestyle changes. Depending on your age, sex and medical history, your doctor will recommend different treatments that will be able to help you.
Osteoporosis can be serious. Fractures can alter or threaten your life. A significant number of people have osteoporosis and have hip fractures die within one year of the fracture.
Activities such as jumping, running or jogging can lead to fractures in weakened bones. Avoid jerky, rapid movements in general. Choose exercises with slow, controlled movements.
While many people have Osteoporosis for years with no significant difficulties, others with severe cases are completely bedridden.
Osteoporosis can lead to immobility, which means you may not be able to move as freely as you did before. Walking seems so simple—until you're not able to do it easily. But, there's good news: If osteoporosis has slowed you down, you can regain your mobility and independence.
A person has stage 4 osteoporosis if their bone mineral density score is more than 2.5 standard deviations below the healthy average for a young adult and they have had at least one fracture. People with this type of osteoporosis typically require medications that help reduce bone mineral loss.
If you're getting Disability Support Pension (DSP), we may do a review to check you still meet medical rules.
To be eligible for a Disability Support Pension, you must be assessed as having an impairment rating of at least 20 points from any of the tables. If you are assessed as having an impairment rating of less than 20 points, your claim will be rejected.