Social Security Disability Benefits for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve becomes compressed in or around the wrist area. This nerve runs from the forearm to the middle of the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome can have symptoms that range from tingling, numbness, and pain in the wrist area as well as the fingers and thumb. In advanced cases, additional symptoms include difficulty gripping objects, pain all the way to the elbow, and deterioration of the muscle under the thumb.

Whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits for your carpal tunnel system depends on several factors. To determine whether you meet their definition of being disabled, the Social Security Administration (SSA) relies on a variety of factors, including the severity of your symptoms, the effectiveness of treatment options, the strength of your medical evidence, your age, your education level and the type of work you have done. To be approved, your carpal tunnel syndrome must be medically determinable and supported with strong medical evidence. Medical evidence can include X-rays, electromyography tests, and nerve conduction studies.

The SSA employs a 5-step sequential evaluation process to determine if you qualify for disability benefits under the SSDI and/or SSI programs. At each phase of a disability claim, there is an adjudicator, or decision-maker. At the Initial Application and Reconsideration phases, the decision-maker is a DDS Examiner who works in consultation with a DDS Physician. At the Hearing phase, the decision-maker is the Administrative Law Judge who often consults with a Vocational and/or Medical Expert. These adjudicators consider both medical and non-medical evidence to determine if there is any work that you can do based on your physical and/or mental limitations.

Social Security disability claims based on carpal tunnel syndrome are never easy to get approved, but they can be approved if the claim is developed properly. If you or someone you know is unable to work due to carpal tunnel syndrome, or any other medical condition, please contact us for a free evaluation of your case!

By: Joyce Trudeau of Premier Disability Services, LLC®