By Chris Sharry on April 9th, 2025 in Disability, Disability Qualifying, Social Security Disability
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is an inherited nerve problem. It causes abnormalities in the nerves that supply your feet, legs, hands, and arms. It affects both your motor and sensory nerves. Motor nerves carry signals from your brain to your muscles, telling them to move. Sensory nerves carry sensations, such as heat, cold, and pain back to your brain. CMT is considered a peripheral neuropathy because it affects nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease results in smaller, weaker muscles. You may also experience loss of sensation and muscle contractions, and difficulty walking. Foot deformities such as hammertoes and high arches also are common. Symptoms usually begin in the feet and legs, but they may eventually affect your hands and arms.
The motor symptoms of CMT affect your muscles. These include:
- Muscle weakness.
- Paralysis.
- Loss of muscle mass (muscle atrophy).
- Decreased or no reflexes.
- Hammertoes.
- Foot drop (a very high foot arch).
- Trips and falls because of gait disorders and changes in how the muscles in your legs and feet work.
- Repeated ankle sprains.
- Breathing problems (this usually only happens in severe cases).
Sensory symptoms
The sensory symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease include:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Inability to feel heat or pain sensations in your lower legs, feet and hands.
- Creeping sensations in your legs.
- Chronic pain.
- Loss or decrease in other senses, especially vision and hearing (these are less common and usually only happen with specific subtypes of CMT).
There is no cure for CMT. But these treatments can help:
- Physical therapy to strengthen and stretch your muscles. This may help prevent or delay disability caused by weakness and deformity.
- Occupational therapy to help with your daily activities. This includes using special devices like rubber grips, or changing from buttons and zippers to Velcro.
- Orthopedic devices, such as ankle braces, high-top boots, and thumb splints.
- Pain medicines if needed.
- Surgery for severe deformities of the feet, spine, or other joints.
To qualify for Social Security Disability, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will evaluate your claim under a 5-step sequential evaluation process. SSA will review your claim to determine if you meet the listing for peripheral neuropathy:
11.14 Peripheral neuropathy, characterized by A or B:
A. Disorganization of motor function in two extremities, resulting in an extreme limitation in the ability to stand up from a seated position, balance while standing or walking, or use the upper extremities.
OR
B. Marked limitation in physical functioning, and in one of the following:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information; or
- Interacting with others; or
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or
- Adapting or managing oneself.
If SSA determines that you do not meet Listing 11.14, your case will be evaluated to determine if you can do your past relevant work or if there is any other work that you can still perform given your age, education and work experience.
Getting Help with Your CMT Disability Claim
Applying for Social Security Disability benefits for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease can be complex, especially when trying to prove the extent of your physical limitations under SSA’s strict medical criteria. If your symptoms prevent you from working and you are unsure whether you meet the requirements under Listing 11.14 for peripheral neuropathy, it’s important to work with an experienced disability attorney who can guide you through the application or appeals process. Attorney Christopher Sharry has helped many individuals with chronic conditions like CMT secure the benefits they deserve. Contact Sharry & Monfette today for a thorough evaluation of your case and assistance with your SSDI claim.
