Back pain is one of the most common reasons that people file for Social Security disability. However, it is also one of the most difficult claims to make. Social Security does not readily approve these claims because they are often fraudulent. This unfortunate abuse leaves real victims unable to work and without the compensation they need. That’s why having an experienced Mobile, AL Social Security disability attorney is critical to applying for your benefits.
There are many causes of back pain, so many that doctors often struggle to identify the cause in individual cases. Your back pain could be the result of:
- Bulging or ruptured discs –Â The discs in your vertebrae (spine) can bulge or rupture, putting pressure on a nerve. These are often discovered during unrelated medical procedures.
- Back and ligament strain – Heavy lifting and awkward movements can strain your muscles and ligaments. Individuals in poor condition can have even worse pain and may suffer muscle spasms.
- Osteoporosis – Porous and brittle bones are indicators of osteoporosis. Vertebrae in your spine could develop compression fractures if you have this disease.
- Scoliosis –Â This condition often does not appear until middle age. It is evidenced by the curving of the spine, which can lead to back pain.
- Spinal Arthritis –Â The cartilage in the joints and discs of your neck and lower back may deteriorate. This can lead to painful bone spurs, pinching of the nerves, and compression of the spinal cord.
Although back pain may qualify for disability, the process of making a claim is not easy. Social Security sees a difference between back pain and chronic back pain. The former may improve over time and is a normal part of aging. Social Security generally expects workers to make adjustments to this condition as they get older. Chronic back pain, on the other hand, is severe enough to disrupt daily activities like work.
To make your claim, you will need to have medical evidence regarding the cause of your condition. That may include X-rays, CT scans, doctor’s notes, and physical examinations. Working with a Mobile, AL Social Security disability attorney will make the difference. Your attorney will explain the three criteria Social Security uses to evaluate back pain claims:
- Objective symptoms – Social Security has its own set of impairment listings for back pain conditions. The agency will objectively compare your signs to those in its listings. This will require submitting evidence like that listed above.
- Functional limitations – Social Security wants to know how your back pain keeps you from participating in your normal daily routine, like working. The agency will determine your Residual Functional Capacity, which considers how much you can do in spite of the pain.
- The credibility of your application – Since many back pain claims rely so heavily on self-reporting, there’s a great deal of fraud in this area. Social Security, therefore, has to determine how credible your application is.
Your credibility may be the most significant part of your application. To ensure your claim is as strong as possible, turn to an experienced Mobile, AL disability attorney. There are a few criteria that will be looked at during the credibility analysis:
- Objective medical records
- How many trips you’ve made to see your doctor
- Notes your doctor has made regarding your pain
- How much pain is normally reported by other patients with the same condition
All of these, and other things, are looked at as a whole to see how credible your application is. Inconsistencies between your statements and those of your doctor could invalidate your claim. Your credibility will also be questioned if there’s evidence of you acting inconsistently with a claim of back pain.
Let Our Team Help With Your Back Pain Disability Claim
We are not only experienced with Social Security disability laws and procedures. We’re a comprehensive law firm that helps clients from filing their claims to appealing denials. That’s the level of service you can expect from the dedicated team at Ascend Disability Lawyers, LLC. Give us a call today to get started on your claim.
