You rely on your prosthetic device completely. Without it, you would be unable to walk, climb stairs, and perform pretty much any work duty that doesn’t involve sitting in a chair. But while your quality of life has improved significantly, you’re not exactly operating at the same level as before your accident. Will your prosthetic device be the reason you are denied Social Security disability benefits?
Medical evaluations can determine your level of disability
The Social Security Administration may not consider you disabled if you are able to earn a living using work modifications or assistance devices. However, SSA may require a medical examination (performed by your doctor at Bergan Mercy or another Omaha hospital) to evaluate how well you are able to ambulate with the use of your device, including:
- Prosthetic devices. To determine your level of disability with a prosthetic device, your doctor will record how well you walk and the limits of your movement with the prosthesis correctly in place. The doctor should also document the condition of the stump or the arm or leg without the prosthesis in place.
- Hand-held assistive devices. If you have an impairment in one or both legs and must use a hand-held assistive device (such as a cane, crutch or walker), you should be examined both with and without the use of the device. This will help the SSA understand to what extent you rely on the device and your improved level of functional ability when you use the device. Your doctor should also note the hand and finger requirements of any walking assistance devices, as use of a cane or walker may prevent you from using one or both hands for carrying items or opening doors while walking.
Worried that you will make a mistake on your disability application? Download our free guide, Give Yourself the Best Chance of Winning Your Social Security Disability Case, or leave a comment below to weigh in on the problems with these kinds of injuries.
