Back Pain: Social Security Disability
Back pain is one of the most common conditions debilitating Americans today. It is also one of the most challenging conditions to prove as a disability under the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) standards. Generally, the SSA is looking for “inability to ambulate effectively on a sustained basis.” In other words, to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, you need to demonstrate that you are unable to move about for an extended period because of back pain. This inability must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months.
Some of the more specific conditions accepted by the Social Security Administration includes:
Disorders of the spine, such as herniated nucleus pulposus; spinal arachnoiditis; spinal stenosis; osteoarthritis; degenerative disc disease; facet arthritis; vertebral fracture; that results in compromising a nerve root (including the cauda equina) or the spinal cord.These conditions must include one (1) of the following three (3):
- Evidence of nerve root compression characterized by neuro-anatomic distribution of pain, limitation of motion of the spine, motor loss (atrophy with associated muscle weakness or muscle weakness) accompanied by sensory or reflex loss and, if there is involvement of the lower back, positive straight-leg raising test (sitting and supine);or
- Spinal arachnoiditis, confirmed by an operative note or pathology report of tissue biopsy, or by appropriate medically acceptable imaging, manifested by severe burning or painful dysesthesia, resulting in the need for changes in position or posture more than once every two hours;or
- Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in pseudoclaudication, established by findings on appropriate medically acceptable imaging, manifested by chronic nonradicular pain and weakness, and resulting in inability to ambulate effectively.
If you feel your condition has, or will, prevent you from working for at least 12 consecutive months, and, if you believe you deserve Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI), click here or call Freedom Disability today at (866) 761-5942 for a free evaluation with one of our professional Disability Advocates. Our Advocates can determine if your condition is likely to result in a successful SSDI application. If you do qualify we can provide you with the assistance you need to get the benefits you deserve. At Freedom we are experienced in submitting Back Pain Disability applications and will assist you in gathering all necessary medical documents to support your claim.
The foregoing information is based on published materials from the Social Security Administration (“Disability Evaluation Under Social Security”). It is meant to serve as an introduction to some of the factors used by the SSA in evaluating cases. It is no way comprehensive. While Freedom Disability can help you prepare an effective application for benefits, only the SSA can determine whether or not you qualify. For more information call Freedom today at (866) 761-5942.
I had a 3 disc fusion L3 L4 & S1 in July of 2010. Then in 2011 discovered that the S1 hardward my body had rejected and was pushing out by Oct found out that the hardware had went through a bone and took a nerve with it. Had surgery to fix the boy and release the never. The surgery was a success was feeling great walking 5 miles a day. Then one day could hardly get out of bed. Went to my spine doctor right away because the pain started in my lower back into my buttocks and down my left leg stopped at the knee and my left foot is numb after an ct-scan I know have a SI Joint that is dysfunctional. I can’t stand to long and I can’t sit to long I can’t get the surgery until probably mid december because of FMLA problem there is I am a travel specialist and sit 10 hours a day and this is starting to get worse. Would this make me eligible so I can have my surgery and then go back to work my fear is that I am putting so much more pressure on the right side now that I am starting to feel the same pain on that site.
Hi Michele,
Thank you for your comment. The first step in determining your eligibility is to speak with one of our Eligibility Consultatnts here at Freedom Disability. They will ask you a few questions about your medical condition(s) and past work history to determine your eligibility. This is a free consultation, that will give you some information on what your next steps should be regarding the SSDI application process. I hope you’ll give us a call at 866-761-5942. We look foward to speaking with you.
hi, l was hit by an 80,000lb dump truck in 2000. l suffered injuries a broken right kidney, a fractured rib, severe head trauma-concussion at the scene and was knocked out cold. l was taken to lCU and was there for 2 weeks in the hospital. Since then l have been having severe neck pain and can hear bones and cracking in my neck. The rib that was fractured is danging inside my body still and it gives me severe pain when sitting or moving. My lower back is severely in pain and burns, hurts and sting if l bend over to long or stand up to long. my arms, shoulders and elbows are stiff, ache and have a burning sensation in my elbows when l lift my arms or lift up heavy things and are carrying heavy things for a long time, my hands and fingers get numb and my elbows are stiff and burning and hurting after l let the heavy things down. l have cervical radioculopathy which is a pinched nerve in my neck that constantly keeps my fingers and hands numb at night while i’m asleep waking me up in pain. l have to bang them against something hard and it still doesn’t work. my fingers are dead numb, tingling, burning and severely in pain making me cry and scream because they don’t stop
sorry about that!!! they dont stop hurting and at the same time my upper and middle back is hurting right along with my right shoulder because l fall asleep on my right side. Both of my shoulders are bad. l have Fibromyalgia and l know it’s in my shoulders, elbows, wrist and arms. l think it’s also in my legs to because the are stiff with movement after sitting in one spot for several minutes. l also have Plantar Fascittis in my left foot along with an heel spur. it hurts severely whenever l get out of bed and take my first step and all though out the day off and on. it also will hurt when l have been sitting down for along time and get up. whenever l have to climb stairs or go down them, stoop down bending my knee’s they hurt very badly. if l have to stoop all the way down l cannot get back up with grabbing hold of something while using my cane and it hurts very badly. my knee’s, hip and lower back burns and is very painful. when l raise my arms to do my hair or put on make-up, my arms and shoulders burn so bad that l have to put my arm’s back down until it goes away and while my arm’s are up the upper back of my back began’s to burn and ache!! l need help desperately!! l’ve been in pain for thirteen years and it’s not getting any better. the pinched nerve is killing me!! l cant take the pain any more! l have other things that are going on with me also and my health condition, do you think that there is a chance l can get disability seeing that im already depending on a walker, a cane and an Aircast boot to help me get around along with medications l have been taking since 2000 for the same pain and it still present and getting worse?