There are tons of different reasons why people suffer from neck pain. It could be something as simple as muscle strain, but it could also be as serious as debilitating nerve damage. People who suffer from conditions like degenerative disk disease, serious spinal injuries and similar issues may be truly disabled and need help with their day to day activities in the form of social security benefits. It’s not, however, an easy path. Consider the following factors that go into determining whether you can get SSDI benefits related to neck pain, and when to call an attorney for help.
SSDI Benefits and Neck Pain
There are a number of criteria that need to be met in order to get SSDI benefits for neck pain. The SSA (Social Security Administration) maintains a list of official disabilities that must be met, or the applicant must be able to prove that their disability prevents them from returning to work.
Disability Listings
The SSA has a specific listing involving spinal disorders which lay out the causes of neck pain that can allow for SSI benefits. In order to qualify under these listings, you must be able to prove that your nerve root and/or your spinal cord are affected by a disorder, and that you have pain from nerve root compression which limits spinal motion, causes weakness of muscles and loss of feeling, or you have arachnoiditis of the spine, which requires you to change your position every couple of hours.
You’ll need detailed medical records and evidence to back up these claims as well as documentation of your limited range of motion. Your doctor’s report, lab diagnostics, and other records will be needed to back up the claim. In addition, certain individuals who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or joint dysfunction may also qualify under similar conditions.
Can You Work?
This is at the core of almost every disability claim. The claim reviewer for your SSDI application will be interested in determining whether or not you can return to work. This doesn’t just mean, “Can you do the job you used to do?” They will also look at whether you’re capable of transferring your skills to another, lighter duty job. This is why it can be so difficult for many people to prove that you are disabled to the point where you need benefits.
Getting Help with Your Claim
Many people don’t even consider talking to an attorney about their illness, because they think they can handle it themselves, or just as often, because they think they can’t afford it. In truth, you’ve got nothing to lose but everything to gain from hiring an SSDI benefits attorney to help you.
We’ve been helping disabled individuals in the Greater Los Angeles area, the Inland Empire, and Orange County get the disability benefits they need for years. Call Dr. Bill LaTour and his team today at 800-803-5090 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.
