Social Security has proposed changing to its listings for musculoskeletal disorders. Social Security’s listings are impairments used by Social Security in making disability determinations by judging the severity of impairments. We will be presenting a series on the proposed changes, first looking at the current listing Social Security considers, followed by the proposed new listing. Next up is 1.03, a very short listing that would be replaced by 1.17.
1.03 Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis (Current listing)
1.03 Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight- bearing joint, with inability to ambulate effectively, as defined in 1.00B2b, and return to effective ambulation did not occur, or is not expected to occur, within 12 months of onset.
1.17 Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis (New listing)
1.17 Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint (see 1.00H), documented by A, B and C:
- Documented history of reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint;
AND
- Impairment-related physical limitation of musculoskeletal functioning that has lasted, or can be expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months;
AND
- A documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 1.00E).
