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Is Osteoarthritis A Disability? Osteoarthritis is considered a disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Osteoarthritis can be debilitating, causing severe pain and mobility issues. Many joints can be affected by osteoarthritis, including the knee.

To prove arthritis is service connected, a doctor may be able to determine that your history with injury in your service is likely to have caused arthritis. There still needs to be a VA disability rating for arthritis and if the VA sees a link, you may claim direct service connection.

How is a Service Connection Established for Arthritis? To establish a service connection for arthritis, a veteran must prove that the condition was a result of an event that occurred during service, such as an in-service injury or overuse of a joint during a service-related task that caused the condition to develop.

How Arthritis Is Rated. Degenerative arthritis, caused by overuse of the joints or an injury, is the most common form of arthritis in veterans and is rated under Diagnostic Code 5003. Veterans receive either a 10% or 20% rating depending on the severity of their symptoms and the number of joints affected.

So, can you get disability for arthritis in your hands? The answer is yes, you are able to get disability for arthritis in your hands so long as you are capable of showing the SSA that you meet the medical and work requirements necessary in order to qualify for Social Security disability.

The joint stiffness, pain, and limited mobility associated with arthritis can significantly impact a veteran's day-to-day activities. Veterans with service-connected arthritis are entitled to VA disability benefits. Ratings are based on the severity of impairment.

A frequent kind of arthritis in Veterans is degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), which is classified under Diagnostic Code 5003 as the result of joint overuse or injury. Depending on the symptoms and the number of joints affected, Veterans are mostly given a 10% or 20% grade.

Traumatic and overuse injuries, which commonly occur during active duty, are reasons veterans may develop arthritis. Fortunately, there are low-cost or free physical activity programs and educational workshops that can help veterans feel better.