Musculoskeletal Injuries and Problems that may Qualify for Social Security Disability
(back pain, joint pain, Carpal Tunnel, bone fractures and related surgeries, and burns)

This list of conditions which may qualify one to receive Social Security disability benefits is not intended to be authoritarian in nature and is provided only for your information. This information may not be the latest rulings provided by the SSA.  Detailed information can be obtained from the Social Security Administration's website where this information was obtained. You may also fill out the form on this page for a FREE Social Security disability claim evaluation.

The Key!

Can you stoop, sit and walk? Almost all employment requires the employee to stoop, sit and walk during some part of their job. The key is to truthfully focus on how your physical condition prevents you from doing these three activities to a level that the SSA would say that you are unable to be gainfully employed.

Pain and its severity is difficult to judge by a third party. Because the initial application and first appeal are judged solely on paperwork received by the Administration's office, it may be difficult to get a reviewer to understand how the pain affects your life. Therefore, don't be disheartened if both the initial application and the first appeal are denied.

The second appeal is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). A good Social Security disability lawyer knows how to argue a case before the Judge and could increase your opportunity to gain Social Security disability benefits.

Contact the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers today by filling out the form on this page for a FREE disability evaluation. We can help you file or appeal your disability claim for back, muscle, bone or other types of pain including Carpal Tunnel.

Social Security Disability and Pain, Including Back Pain

Musculoskeletal injuries and problems can have far-reaching and devastating affects.   We have all had our share of aches and pains that keep us down for a short amount of time, but when these problems do not go away they can cause loss of mobility, work and other problems.

The Social Security Administration states that some injuries, illnesses and pain involving muscles, joints, bones, spine and soft tissues such as skin can be bad enough to allow a person to receive Social Security disability benefits. The SSA includes arthritis inflammation in the musculoskeletal section as a possible qualifier for disability benefits.

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. It is common for chronic pain to cause depression and loss of sleep. If the doctor prescribes medication for pain, sleep, anxiety or depression you should take it as instructed. Make sure you do not miss any doctor's appointments.

Major Dysfunction of One or More Joints .

A person who is experiencing a joint problem may qualify for Social Security disability if they have obvious deformity along with chronic joint pain and stiffness with limited movement or abnormal movement of the joint. In most cases the joint affected must be a weight-bearing joint such as the knee, hip or ankle but may also the involve upper extremity  joints like the wrists, elbows or shoulders. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is included in this category. The key here is proving limited ability to move that prevents work performance.

Reconstructive Surgery or Surgical Arthrodesis (Fusion) of a Major Weight-bearing Joint

The United States has the best medical system in the world, but it seems like the process of joint reconstruction has not been perfected yet. Many times the replacement of a hip or knee joint relieves some of the discomfort but may still not leave the person the ability to walk or stand very well or for long periods of time. Benefits are dependent on how the joint problems limit you. Many people who have joint problems also have additional medical issues. Putting all of the problems together may be the solution to obtaining disability benefits.

Disorders of the Spine

Spine and back disorders seem to be extremely common. Low back pain and chronic back pain can be debilitating! Some estimates are as high as 80% of the population will have back pain at some point during their life. The Social Security Administration may recognize injuries and conditions of the spine for disability insurance benefits if the injury or degeneration involves a nerve or the spinal cord. Examples of conditions the SSA may consider a reason to provide disability benefits are herniated nucleus pulposus (herniated disk), spinal arachnoiditis, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, facet arthritis and vertebral fracture. One must also provide evidence of nerve root compression or spinal arachnoiditis or lumbar spinal stenosis. Of course each condition must be confirmed by common medical examinations.

Amputation (Due to Any Cause)

Amputations may involve upper or lower extremities to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Lower extremity amputations should involve stump complications that prevent the use of a prosthesis to move effectively and are expected to continue for more than 12 months.

Fracture of the Femur, Tibia, Pelvis, or One or More of the Tarsal Bones or Fracture of an Upper Extremity.

Fractures of the pelvis to foot can quickly rob one of their mobility. Upper extremity fractures can be quite painful. Sometimes fractured bones do not heal back correctly and result in "non solid" unions which make ambulation difficult or impossible. These fractures may qualify you to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.

Soft Tissue Injury (e.g., Burns)

Soft tissue injuries or injuries of the skin and muscle itself. A good example of a soft tissue injury is a burn. To qualify for Social Security disability benefits the soft tissue injury must be under continuing surgical management directed toward restoring the use of the part of the body affected, but restoration was not restored or is expected to be restored within 12 months of onset.

I'm Still Not Sure if I Qualify For Social Security Disability

If you are unsure if your injury, illness or pain allows you to qualify for disability insurance, the acclaimed Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers offers you a FREE consultation whereby your claim may be evaluated. If your case is accepted, our experienced Social Security disability lawyers can help you obtain the benefits you deserve through the Disability System. Under the Cochran Firm  Disability Lawyers' Social Security disability program, you will not be charged unless we win your disability benefits for you.

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© 2018 The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers- Social Security Disability Attorneys

Contributed by: Benjamin A. Irwin, Esq.

The information on this website does not constitute legal advice nor form an attorney-client relationship. Please contact The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers today to schedule a free Social Security disability benefits consultation. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. You may view our Privacy Policy and Web Disclaimer. The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers, P.C. is an Alabama Professional Corporation that operates in partnership with The Cochran Firm, P.C. The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers, P.C. limits its practice to Social Security matters. For assistance in any other area of legal practice, call The Cochran Firm at 1-800-THE FIRM.