Back injuries can be completely debilitating, affecting every aspect of your daily life to the point where it is impossible to work – but can you get Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits for it?
Generally speaking, you can get SSD benefits for a back injury, but it isn’t an easy process. Here are some of the key factors that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider when deciding your claim:
Your medical evidence
SSA wants comprehensive medical documentation of your condition, so the claims examiner will look for:
- A clear medical diagnosis, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease
- Detailed records of your medical history, including doctor visits, hospital stays, treatments and medications
- Imaging tests, like X-rays, MRIs and CT scans that show the extent of your injury
In general, the more treatment you’ve received, physical therapy you’ve undergone and pain management techniques that you’ve tried, the more veracity your claim will have – and the greater your odds of approval.
The impact on your work capacity
To qualify for SSD benefits, you have to show that your condition prevents you from performing substantial gainful work activity – and everybody is different. In general, SSA will look at things like:
- The work that you have done in the past, particularly whether you have transferable skills that could allow you to work in an occupation that doesn’t rely on a good back – like a desk job
- Your education level and age, since people who are younger and more educated can generally transition better to new occupations than people without advanced education and those who are older
This is a very simplified explanation of what goes into an SSD determination involving a back injury, so it’s critically important to seek legal guidance that is specific to your situation before you apply. Doing so can help you avoid an unfair denial that will set you on a long (and unnecessary) path of appeals.