Most individuals applying for social security disability report having a great deal of pain in different joints due to arthitis. Often it involves the back, knees, hips or feet. They state that their pain affects their ability to stand and walk resulting in being unable to do their job. This is also true in cases especially where pain in the feet due to peripheral neuropathy, commonly due to diabetes is the cause. Social security rules state tht there has to be a reason which they call a medically determinable impairment resulting in pain. This means that x-rays must be done and in your medical record to prove there is a reason for your joint pain. Just saying your doctor told my I had arthritis is not enough.
Although, social security does take into consideration the degree of pain you state you have, the main evidence relates to how your condition affects your ability to stand and walk over a normal 8 hour workday. This evidence relies on a physical examination which shows how you actually walk. That is, is your walking unsteady, limping or do you actually need a cane to walk. This is the important evidence which social security looks for in evaluating your case. The more affected your ability to walk, the greater your chances of getting social security benefits. After reviewing all you medical evidence, they will make a decision as to how as to how many hours you actually could walk over a normal working day; for instance, is it 6 out of 8 hours, 2 out of 8 hours or significantly under 2 out of 8 hours.