If you have had reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis on your ankle and are unable to work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Once you submit your application for disability, Social Security will evaluate your condition and medical records in accordance with the listings found in the Blue Book.
Social Security Listing
Social Security evaluates reconstructive surgery of your ankle under listing 1.03. To meet the listing found in the Blue Book, you must have the operative report and subsequent medical records for the reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis.
In addition to the supporting medical evidence, you must also have an inability to ambulate effectively. This means that you must have an extreme limitation in your ability to walk, and you generally must have insufficient functioning of your leg(s) such that you cannot walk independently without the use of a hand-held assistive device (such as a cane or walker) that limits the use of both of your arms. The medical evidence will also need to indicate that you have either not returned to effective ambulation within 12 months of onset, or if 12 months has not yet passed, a return to effective ambulation must not be expected within 12 months of onset.
I Don’t Meet a Listing!
If you don’t meet the listing, you still may qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. In this case, you will need medical records that show that you will be unable to work for at least twelve months, based on your condition, symptoms, medication side effects, or treatment schedule.
To prove your case, you will need the imaging reports taken of your ankle; a detailed history of your treatments (including any operative reports and physical therapy notes); and information on the types of medication you take following the ankle surgery.
If you have undergone reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of your ankle and are unable to work due to your condition, contact a local attorney today if you have any questions.