SSD for RSD

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (“RSD”), which is also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), is believed to be a nervous system malfunction that develops in response to trauma, and affects so many people that the Social Security Administration (the “SSA”) promulgated a special rule for it. 

I represent a 46 year old foreman working for a boat manufacturer with RSD whose application for Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits was approved today without the need for a hearing. While the claimant had submitted reports that documented the medical findings and resulting functional restrictions, the SSA did not approve the SSD benefits until the claimant submitted treatment records from the his orthopedist. 

The treatment records merely corroborated the evidence that had already been submitted. It remains unclear if the records were requested for the sake of completeness, or whether the SSA was attempting to see if there was anything in the records that would contradict the supporting evidence already in the file.