Social Security Disability for RSD or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) result from an injury, disease or even surgery to a limb (arm/leg).  It is characterized by severe but unusual pain in the affected limb.  It often spreads to the other limb.  It is thought to be a dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system (which regulates our involuntary physiological responses to stressful stimuli.)  Other characteristics of the disorder include the following symptoms of the affected limb(s): swelling, changes in skin color or texture, changes in sweating (decreased or excessive sweating), skin temperature changes, or abnormal pilomotor erection (gooseflesh), abnormal hair or nail growth (growth can be either too slow or too fast),  osteoporosis,  involuntary movements of the affected region of the initial injury.

Both Can Be Disabling

Because of the discomfort, sufferers may become unable to use the limb.  If the condition spreads to another limb, they may have a condition which is just as disabling as joint impairments causing loss of use found in the musculoskeletal listings. Social Security does not list these conditions but when severe they are similar to a musculoskeletal disorder which limits the use of the limbs (arms or legs). 

• Do you have severe burning pain in a limb occurring after trauma or surgery?
• Does the limb sweat, change color or temperature?
• Are you sensitive to light touch?

If you are able to demonstrate the necessary symptoms, you may be eligible to get social security disability compensation similar to soneone with a musculoskeletal condition. For more information, or to get advice regarding a disability claim, talk to a Social Security Disability Attorney.