Winning SSDI Benefits for Back Disorders

If you have been diagnosed with a back disorder and that back disorder is preventing you from working in any capacity, you may be wondering if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. My name is Kaitlin Wildoner, and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible, so they can focus on getting better. Today we’re going to talk about things that you want to consider when applying for Social Security Disability benefits to give yourself the best chance of being approved as a result of your back disorder. 

Number one, there are several listings for various back disorders contained in the blue book. The listings are very specific and often require specific imaging findings and medical documentation of the need for an assistive device such as a cane, crutches, walker, or even wheelchair. Occasionally, the listings will require limitations in your use of your arms and upper extremities as well. 

Number two, if you don’t meet one of those listings, Social Security will then review the medical records, including imaging, such as x-rays, CT scans and MRIs, and evaluate your residual functional capacity and determine whether there are jobs that exist in the national economy that you might be able to perform.

As I’ve tried to make apparent a little bit already, number three is that imaging is very, very important in back disorder claims. This is because it helps Social Security to really visualize what’s happening and what’s going on underneath your skin, what’s really causing the pain and functional limitations that you have. Therefore, discuss that with your doctor, discuss the idea of getting imaging. Often, but not always, MRIs are the best imaging to let Social Security know what’s going on underneath your skin causing your limitations. 

Four, follow the advice of your doctor. One thing I see over and over again is a doctor recommend surgery, but the patient does not want surgery. Discuss that with your doctor! You are always welcome to seek a second opinion and most doctors will encourage it if you show any hesitancy but have an open dialogue with your providers regarding your concerns about surgery. Are the concerns because you don’t want to go under anesthesia, are the concerns related to a prior failed surgery? Are they Financial? Do you know somebody that had that surgery and it didn’t work out for them, and so it’s a concern for you? Oftentimes, providers can talk through some of those concerns with you. Again, if you think that you don’t need surgery, go see a different doctor, see what their opinion is, discuss that. It’s important that if you have concerns about surgery, it is developed in the record. Otherwise, if Social Security sees that surgery has been recommended and you don’t follow through, they’re going to often assume you’re not really that disabled.

That applies to really any recommendation a doctor makes. Be sure that if a doctor has a recommendation for you that you don’t follow through on, you discuss with your doctor what your hesitation is in following through on that recommendation. That will help not only your individual care plan with your doctor, but it will also help Social Security understand why you aren’t following the doctor’s advice. 

Social Security for Back Disorder Lawyer

Thanks so much for watching. If you are disabled and unable to work, click the scheduling link here or give us a call directly to see what I can do to help you.