While back problems are the most common types of injuries that are applied towards Social Security Disability, they can also be the most difficult to win. Back pains are natural to the aging process, so the Social Security Administration needs proof that your condition is in a harsh state and not just the typical discomfort.
Having any of these disorders or diseases can make it impossible for you to work full time and requires the financial aid that SSD benefits can offer. Here are some spinal disabilities that could make you eligible for SSD benefits:
Spinal Stenosis
This disorder occurs when the spaces between your spine start to narrow, resulting in pressure on the nerves that go throughout your spinal cord. This causes pain, numbness, loss of balance, and potential paralysis in the neck or lower back.
While most patients develop this when they are over 50, you can develop this early if you were born with any deformity in your spine, have any tumors developing in the region, or have recently been in an accident that gave your vertebrae any dislocations or fractures.
The SSA takes cases of nerve root compressions that cause pain or movement limitations in the spinal area, and this is one of the conditions most associated with that.
Spinal Arachnoiditis
Arachnoiditis occurs when the membranes that specifically protect your brain and spinal cord become inflamed, which causes you to experience a numbness, tingling, and burning pain throughout your spine and other parts of your body.
The SSA states that this inflammatory makes you a potential candidate to receive SSD benefits as you would have a hard time functioning in the same posture for more than two hours. They would just need the sufficient evidence from your tissue biopsies that confirms you are in this state.
Degenerative Disc Disease
This disease can happen when the discs between your vertebra deter from age or injuries. Since these discs are responsible for the majority of your back’s movements, this causes pain throughout your whole body when you sit, bend, or twist your body.
If advanced, this disease requires physical therapy, medications, and surgery. Since discs cannot repair themselves like other tissues of the body can, the SSA could be more lenient for giving you benefits towards this disease as it impairs numerous daily functions you would require to work.
Having any of these conditions can make it impossible to work full time, which means that they fit the key criteria towards obtaining SSD benefits. Be very detailed about your back conditions and provide as much evidence as you can from your doctor to make your case.