Obesity is a growing problem in this country affecting millions of people. It may vary from being moderately overweight to reaching morbid obesity levels. Morbid obesity is seen when one reaches a BMI of over 40. It was very rare years ago to see people morbidly obese, but today it is not unusual. It can affect one’s health in many ways ranging from being assoicated with high blood pressure, heart disease and most especially with joint involvement of the lower extremities due to the excess weight. The daily stress that excessive weight puts on hip, knee and joints of the feet takes it toll over the years.
Your doctor’s visits and his treating notes are reviewed by the state to determine how your ability to stand and walk are affected by arthritis in your knees, hips and ankles due to obesity. He should state in his treating record how limited you are in standing and walking over a work day. If he does not report this information, you should ask him from a medical standpoint, how restricted you are regarding walking. It is important to know that your doctor just stating that you have arthritis in your joints is not accepted evidence in itself. There must be actual x-ray evidence of arthritis. Also, your weight must be recorded in his progress notes.
Social Security recognizes obesity as an important contributing factor affecting one’s ability to work. The question is to what degree is it a factor in an individual case since each situation is different. Social Security has complex rules when deciding a case; these include your age and past working history.