If you suffer from chronic back pain, you know just how debilitating it can be. Especially since the pandemic, many of us are working in less-than-ideal chairs, creating ongoing back issues. Severe back pain goes well beyond work, making even the simplest daily tasks difficult.
Conditions like arthritis, herniated discs, and other chronic back problems can limit your movement and make it impossible to sit or stand for prolonged periods. Unfortunately, in the Social Security Administration (SSA) lens, not all back pain is created equal.
Does Back Pain Qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income?
Whether or not your condition qualifies mostly depends on its severity. The SSA requires that you have concrete evidence of your condition in the form of x-rays, MRIs, or a formal doctor’s note saying that you have a physical abnormality like a compressed nerve root or a herniated disc. Chronic back pain without a specified anatomical cause is unlikely to qualify for Social Security.
The Credibility of a Back Condition
Because chronic back pain can be tricky to prove, your credibility in the eyes of the Social Security Administration will carry a lot of weight for your application. For this reason, it is vital, to be honest during your application and refrain from exaggerating your pain or the impact it has had on your life. Instead, focus on the number of times you’ve seen a doctor, your doctor’s thoughts on your condition, the treatments you’ve undergone, and how it affects your life and work.
Legal Assistance for Individuals with Chronic Back Pain
If you have a medical condition causing serious, debilitating back pain that prevents you from working, you may be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits through either SSI or SSDI. Drew L. Johnson, Attorneys at Law in Eugene, OR can help you determine whether you might qualify for benefits and can help you successfully navigate the application process.
Call (541) 434-6466 today to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Social Security disability attorney.
