Back problems can cause all sorts of discomfort in our daily lives, particularly the physical and emotional strain it puts on us. The degree to which your back problem affects you depends almost entirely on how severe your injury truly is. Even the slightest injury can cause long-term damage or chronic pain that stays with us forever. If you have back pain, you may be wondering, “What back problems automatically qualify for disability?” You may want to consult with a Palm Springs back injury lawyer to learn more.
Which Back Problems Qualify You for Disability?
A spinal disorder, or an equally severe back injury, can be classified as a disability under the Social Security Administration’s disability program. However, it only qualifies if the injury in question causes significant impairment to the individual’s ability to seek gainful employment or severely impacts their quality of life. To try to qualify for disability benefits, you need to provide a number of important pieces of evidence:
- Your comprehensive medical file
- History of treatment for your injury
- Diagnostic imaging of your injury
- Full reports from your doctors, including specialists
The main factors that will greatly affect whether you qualify for disability benefits will be the severity of your injury and the impact it has had on your physical health.
There are a number of spinal disorders and chronic back injuries that may qualify you for disability benefits. If you have any of the following conditions, you may want to speak to a doctor or a disability lawyer about gaining said benefits:
- Scoliosis: Scoliosis is a severe curvature of the spine, with cases that range from mild to catastrophic. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may qualify for disability benefits. Scoliosis can cause difficulty breathing and chronic pain. Corrective surgery or a prolonged period in a brace may cure or at least treat the condition.
- Arthritis of the Spine: Arthritis of the spine, also called “facet arthritis,” can cause degeneration in the spinal joints. This, in turn, causes chronic pain, which could qualify you for disability benefits. It can be treated with physical therapy, corrective surgery, and pain medications, among other forms of treatment.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can be catastrophic. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves responsible for sending messages to the brain and receiving messages from the brain. If the cord is damaged beyond repair, it can sever the network and cause untold damage throughout your body, including permanent paralysis.
- Herniated Discs: In between the vertebrae of our spine are little soft discs that allow for painless movement. When one of these discs falls out of place due to some sort of trauma, it is called a herniated disc. When they slip out of place, they put pressure on spinal nerves, which causes severe pain throughout the entire body. These need to be corrected as soon as possible to avoid getting worse.
An experienced back injury or disability lawyer can help you develop your case for disability benefits. They can go through your medical history with you and prepare your application.
FAQs
Q: What Type of Back Pain Qualifies for Disability?
A: Any type of back pain that is chronic or otherwise negatively impacts your quality of life may qualify for disability benefits. It all depends on the severity of your injury and whether it has impacted your ability to maintain gainful employment, among other factors. If you are unsure of whether your own back injury qualifies for disability, you could reach out to your doctor or consult a disability lawyer to know for sure.
Q: What Is the Maximum Back Payment for SSDI?
A: The farthest back your Social Security disability insurance will go is 12 months. Even if your initial application took two years to be approved, the 12-month cap is firmly in place. The amount of money in back payments you might receive varies from person to person. There is no official amount on record. A disability examiner will look into your case and determine how much money in disability benefits you should receive. Then, you will receive it. It is done on a case-by-case basis.
Q: How Do I Get 100% Disability for Back Pain?
A: The only way to get a 100% disability rating for back pain is to prove that your entire spine is permanently stuck in an unfavorable position, causing you daily chronic pain and immobility. It is rare for someone to receive a 100% disability rating for their spine, as such a condition is undoubtedly painful and severe, affecting the rest of the body in a negative way on a daily basis.
Q: Does a Pinched Nerve Qualify for Disability?
A: Yes, you can qualify for disability due to a pinched nerve. However, you must be able to show in your medical records that the pinched nerve in question is so severe and painful that it has seriously impacted your ability to seek and maintain gainful employment. When pursuing disability benefits, you have to be able to show that your injury has caused a negative impact on your quality of life. You must also show that through official medical documentation.
Reach Out to a Back Injury Lawyer Today
Back injuries can cause untold amounts of physical and mental stress on our bodies, which can result in additional injuries. You may not be able to prepare for the effect that a back injury will have on your body or your quality of life. If they are severe enough, you may be able to qualify for disability benefits, though you must go through the lengthy application process first.
At English Lloyd & Armenta, we can help you work through that application process. Our team can ensure that you are ready to make a case for your disability benefits. We can build your argument, help acquire your detailed medical history, and advocate on your behalf. Contact us to schedule a consultation about your back injury today so we can thoroughly review your case.