You may be aware of the fact that you could be eligible for disability benefits if you are unable to work due to a medical condition or a serious injury. Sometimes, a disabling condition is the result of an accident or the diagnosis of a serious illness. For you, however, your condition may develop over time as the result of a previous injury.
Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that results from damage from a previous injury. You may have to live with a certain amount of pain due to a past injury, but eventually, this pain could affect your ability to work. Missouri residents who struggle with CRPS may have a valid claim to disability benefits though the Social Security Administration because they are unable to hold gainful employment.
Who is susceptible to CRPS?
While medical professionals still do not know a lot about CRPS or why one person may develop it and not another, they do know it relates to previous trauma. A serious injury, nerve damage, major illness or other traumatic event can lead to the onset of CRPS in the future. Women appear to be more susceptible to this condition, as are people under the age of 40.
The effects of CRPS on your ability to work
CRPS affects victims in different ways. The symptoms you may experience depend on the nature of your injury, the location of the trauma, your overall health status and more. Some of the following symptoms of CRPS may keep you from working or working the same job that you used to:
- Stiffness in joints
- Decrease in range of motion
- Debilitating pain
- Problems with muscle coordination
- Uncontrollable jerking in affected limb
When your pain syndrome prevents you from working, supporting your family and doing things that you used to be capable of doing, you may have a valid claim for disability benefits.
Navigating the claims process
While CRPS may be little understood, this does not mean that you do not have a rightful claim for financial support. However, even individuals with a valid claim find that it can be complicated and confusing to navigate the claims process and actually obtain the support they need.
If you find that you cannot work but do not know where to begin with the claims process or how to deal with a denied claim, you may find it beneficial to seek help. You can take the first step by seeking an evaluation of your case.
