Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a painful and sometimes disabling condition. It is an expensive medical condition that requires ongoing care. If your degenerative disc disease meets the medical criteria of the Social Security Administration (SSA), which includes showing evidence of root compressions that affect movement and cause pain, or spinal arachnoiditis, which is disabling, you can be approved for disability benefits. To qualify, you must meet the criteria for a spinal disorder as listed under Section 1.04 of the Blue Book.
The SSA oversees two different disability programs, both of which offer monthly benefits. To determine how much you could be able to receive for disability payments, check your annual statement. It has estimates of disability, retirement, and survivors’ benefits.
What Happens When You Are Approved With Degenerative Disc Disease?
After your disability claim for DDD is approved, you will be paid disability benefits from the sixth month following the date you became disabled according to the SSA. DDD can result in many different symptoms and side effects and vary from one individual to another. To show your specific limitations and how DDD affects your ability to work, provide hard medical evidence. Be sure these records include x-rays and scans, physician notes, prescription records, treatment plans, surgical notes, and details about limitations and symptoms.
Back Pay And Degenerative Disc Disease
Filing a disability claim because of DDD can be challenging. Be sure to include a list of any healthcare providers. Include the service dates and contact information. You must provide supporting medical documentation showing your diagnosis, the severity of your back condition, any treatment, and how your DDD affects you. Backpay is awarded after you are approved for disability benefits from the SSA. Any backpay dates back to the time of your original filing of the DDD disability application and it continues until your disability claim is approved. Most claimants get their first backpay installment within 60 days after benefits approval.
Retroactive Payments For Degenerative Disc Disease
You may be eligible for retroactive disability benefits for your DDD. Your monthly benefits may date back as far as 12 months before you filed a disability application for DDD. Retroactive pay only applies when you can prove that you were disabled before you filed the application for Social Security Disability. Any applicant wanting retroactive disability benefits for their DDD must probe disability existed for a minimum of 5 months before they applied for disability benefits.
How To Calculate How Much You Could Receive With Degenerative Disc Disease
Your disability benefits for DDD are dependent on the amount you paid into Social Security taxes. The SSA will determine the amount by reviewing your earnings history. They will find your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). At that point, they will calculate your primary insurance amount (PIA). Based on those figures, the SSA will calculate your monthly disability benefits for Degenerative Disc Disease. Your age will also come into play.
Applying For Disability Benefits
If you are unable to work because of degenerative disc disease, you can start your Social Security Disability application. File application online at www.ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
