SSD Benefits for Back Pain
“Back pain” covers a broad spectrum, from the morning ache and stiffness many people experience with age to injury-related pain that makes it impossible to engage in normal daily activities. According to the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University, nearly 65 million Americans report recent issues with back pain. Obviously, they aren’t all eligible for Social Security disability (SSD).
In most cases, it isn’t the back pain itself that qualifies a person for SSD benefits, but the underlying injury or condition that is causing the pain.
Listed Conditions Causing Back Pain
To qualify for SSD benefits, an applicant must show that their medical condition is so severe that they are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). There are two ways to do that. One is to meet or equal the criteria for one of the conditions listed in the Social Security Blue Book. The other is to show that your residual functional capacity is too limited to allow you to engage in SGA.
The Blue Book section on musculoskeletal conditions contains listings for some back conditions, but you may not immediately recognize whether your condition is listed. For example, the listing refers to “conditions of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root.” That may include conditions such as herniated discs, spondylosis, and spinal stenosis. But, they aren’t listed by name, and not every incidence of these conditions will be sufficient to meet the listing.
An experienced SSD benefits advocate can help you determine whether your condition falls within a listing, and what type of documentation will be required to establish that you meet that listing. If you don’t meet or equal a listing, you may still qualify for SSD.
Establishing Disability Outside the Listings
Sometimes, a person will meet the SSA’s definition of disability, but won’t fall within listing criteria. That may be because the medical condition is rare or newly discovered, or because it isn’t usually as serious as the applicant’s case. Or, it may be because the applicant suffers from two or more medical conditions, and is disabled by the combination rather than a specific condition.
If you don’t qualify based on a listing, the SSA will look at a combination of factors, including the level of work you are currently able to perform (residual functional capacity), your educational background, the type of work you’ve done in the past, and your age. These factors will help them determine whether there is still work you can do in spite of your medical limitations.
Medical Documentation is Critical
Whether you are aiming to show that you meet a listed condition or based on the grids, having thorough medical documentation will be critical. One challenge in securing SSD benefits for back pain is that pain doesn’t show up on an x-ray, and it can be difficult to prove how much pain limits your activities. Tests documenting the underlying condition, doctors’ notes, and other medical information is critical.
Get Help with Your SSD Claim for Back Pain
The success or failure of your SSD claim may depend on the quality of information you provide. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. To learn more about how our experienced disability benefits advocates can help, call 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form here.
