If you have a spinal disability, your condition may prevent you from working. Lack of ability to earn an income could make it difficult for you to address your daily needs.
In these circumstances, you might be eligible to receive financial assistance through the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA offers benefits to those whose disabilities meet certain criteria.
Spinal Disability List That Qualify For Disability Benefits
The SSA’s “Blue Book” is a resource describing the various conditions that may qualify someone for Social Security benefits. Section “1.00 Musculoskeletal disorders - Adult” covers, among other disabilities, spinal conditions. They include:
- Disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root(s)
- Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in compromise of the cauda equina
- Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint
- Abnormality of a major joint(s) in any extremity
- Pathologic fractures due to any cause
- Amputation due to any cause
- Soft tissue abnormality or injury under continuing surgical management
- Complex or non-healing fracture of the femur, tibia, pelvis, or one or more of the talocrural bones
- Complex or non-healing fracture of an upper extremity
If you have a spinal disability that falls under any of those headings in the SSA’s Blue Book, you may be eligible to receive benefits.
Spinal Conditions Not in Section 1.00 Of the Blue Book
Section 1.00 is not the only section of the Blue Book addressing spinal conditions. Additional conditions from other sections of the Blue Book include:
- 11.08 Spinal Cord Disorders: Spinal cord conditions in this section of the Blue Book include multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and others.
- 14.09 Inflammatory Arthritis: This section addresses forms of arthritis that may involve the spine.
This isn't necessarily a comprehensive list. You may want to consult Section 1.00 of the Blue Book to learn more, as the intro to that section explains where you can find additional information about other spinal disabilities in the Blue Book.
Qualifying For Disability For a Spinal Disorder
To demonstrate that you qualify for benefits due to a spinal disorder, you must:
- Provide medical evidence showing you have a spinal condition that meets Blue Book criteria
- Show that the nature of your condition prevents you from participating in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
- Show that your condition is likely to last at least 12 months or result in your eventual passing
Get Help With Your Spinal Disability Claim
Proving to the SSA that you deserve benefits can be challenging. Statistics indicate the SSA tends to deny most initial claims, forcing applicants to appeal.
Luckily, you don’t need to navigate the process of applying for Social Security benefits on your own. Instead, you can hire a lawyer to assist you.
Hiring a lawyer doesn’t just reduce your burdens. It can also potentially improve your chances of receiving an approval, as you’ll benefit from the expertise of a legal professional who understands what the SSA looks for in a disability benefits application. Get started today by taking the Free Case Evaluation on this page to get connected and speak with a lawyer accepting cases in your area—at zero cost to you.
