Obtaining SSDI Benefits for Back Pain

 Posted on August 11, 2022 in Social Security Disability

Do you suffer from back pain? Chances are, you do, since nearly everyone will experience some type of back pain in their lives. For many people, back pain is a chronic problem. According to experts, back pain leads to more than 264 million hours lost at work each year in the United States, making it one of the leading causes of missed work. In fact, back pain is the number one cause of disability in the world.

If back pain makes it unbearable for you to work, you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits. A qualified SSDI attorney can help you understand your available options for seeking the benefits you deserve.

Understanding “Medical Determinability”

Social Security disability benefits are not typically available on the basis of mild, intermittent, or moderate back pain. In order to qualify, your back pain must be associated with an impairment that the Social Security Administration (SSA) finds to be “medically determinable.” Essentially, the SSA will not approve disability benefits based on your reporting that you have back pain. Instead, you must show that some type of detectable problem, condition, or injury is causing your pain.

Medical determinable impairments include:

• Compressed nerves

• Herniated discs

• Degenerative disc disease

• Radiating spinal pain

• Spinal stenosis

• Osteoarthritis

In addition to showing that a medically determinable impairment exists, you must also meet the SSA’s requirements regarding the effects of the impairment. For example, you might have a herniated disc, but you will also need to show that the pain from your herniated disc is preventing you from working normally.

For example, you might provide evidence of:

• Pain related to compression of nerve roots

• Slowed reflexes and reduced sensation

• Limitations in spinal movement

• Decreased motor skills and muscle weakness

• Trouble walking

• Chronic pain related to lumbar spinal compression

Building Your Case

Your back pain might be debilitating, and it could be keeping you from earning a proper living. However, you will need to meet all of the SSA’s guidelines and regulations before you can start collecting disability benefits. Due to the sheer volume of applications that the SSA receives each year related to back pain, your claim could be denied even if your pain is related to a medically determinable impairment. It is important to work closely with a skilled disability lawyer from our firm when filing your appeal so that you can have the best chance of getting the denial overturned.

Call a Texas Disability Lawyer Today

For more information about getting disability benefits for chronic back pain, contact a Dallas SSDI benefits attorney at The Law Offices of Coats & Todd. We will carefully review the details of your situation and assist you in getting the help you need. Call 972-671-9922 for a free case evaluation today.

Sources:

https://handsdownbetter.org/health-and-wellness/back-pain-facts-and-statistics/

https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/1.00-Musculoskeletal-Adult.htm