Herniated discs are caused by the softened disc’s center pushing through a crack in the casing. This condition, which affects more than 3 million Americans each year, can be very painful and not easily noticed. This variance can make it difficult for you to receive disability benefits, particularly when you first apply. It is crucial to be vigilant if your application for herniated disc disability was denied. You can read below to find out why your application was denied and how to get started with the next steps.
Herniated Disc Denial: Causes
The Blue Book does not mention herniated discs. Because of the many spinal conditions they may have, they could be eligible under Section 1.04: “Disorders of Spine”. Your herniated disc application could have been denied for the following reasons:
- A healthy nerve root and spinal cord. All spinal disorders, regardless of their cause, may not be eligible for benefits. This can be demonstrated by MRI, CT scan or general x-ray. You will be more likely to qualify if you can provide hard evidence proving your back condition.
- There is no evidence of spinal arachnoiditis, lumbar spinal stasis, or spinal arachnoiditis. Although nerve root compression can be sufficient to qualify you for benefits, there are other diagnoses that require more detailed information.
To diagnose spinal arachnoiditis, which is an inflammation of the arachnoid membrane, you will need to perform a tissue biopsy, medical image, and/or documentation of symptoms.
Lumbar spinalstenosis (narrowing or inflammation of the lower spine) is documented with documentation of inflamed nerves as well as pain and weakness. To be eligible for benefits, consult your doctor to make sure that you have met at least one of the Blue Book criteria.
Is Herniated Disc a Permanent Disability?
If the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book requirements are met, a severe herniated disc can be considered a disability. The official listing of all conditions that qualify for disability is called the Blue Book. Each listing in The Blue Book contains a list of requirements that must be met to receive benefits.
A herniated disc by itself will not be enough to allow you to receive disability benefits, unless the injury is expected to cause the person to become unable to work for at most 12 months and meets the criteria in the Blue Book.
According to the Blue Book, a herniated disc must satisfy one of these conditions to be eligible for disability benefits.
- This causes the nerve root to be compromised (the first segment of a nerve that leaves the central nervous system).
- Causes widespread pain, spinal motion limitation, and/or motor loss through atrophy of unused muscles.
- Causes sensory or reflex loss and limits motion of the legs when measured using a positive straight-leg lifting test (SLR)
You can be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits due to a herniated disc if you have the medical documentation such as MRIs or X-rays that proves it.
For qualifying, you will need to provide medical evidence
The most common reason why disability claims are denied at first is because the claimant didn’t provide enough documentation. To get a claim approved, medical documentation is crucial. The only thing that the Social Security Administration will consider when reviewing claims is the medical documentation.
You have a better chance of approval the first time you submit more documentation. You must submit all medical documentation. Documents such as a doctor’s diagnosis and a treatment plan should be submitted.
Many people applying for SSDI due to a bulging disc or herniated disc are denied on the first attempt. They must appeal to have their case heard before an administrative judge. Only 45 percent of SSDI claimants succeed at hearings. Your chances of winning at a hearing could increase if you have a disability lawyer representing you.
There are many types of jobs that herniated discs can make impossible
Herniated discs are caused by the soft tissue slipping through the spinal casing. Although medication is the best option, many cases will require physical therapy or surgery. The pain of a herniated disc can be overwhelming. The pain can make even the most basic tasks difficult and often impossible to complete.
There are many motions that your back can be involved in, including standing and sitting. Even if your back is able to stand all day, it can still cause pain if you move around in your chair or remain stationary at your desk.
People with herniated discs cannot perform physical labor, both immediately after and during recovery. Advanced cases can make sitting uncomfortable, so it is hard to find jobs that will allow you to work with a herniated disc.
Long-term Effects of a Herniated Neck Disc
Herniated discs can cause serious health problems. If your herniated disc is not treated, it could have long-lasting effects on your body. If your herniated disc is not treated, you could experience paralysis and long-term chronic pain.
To treat a herniated disc in your neck, you should consult all medical professionals. A herniated disc in your neck is a serious problem.
This can make it more difficult for you to do your normal job duties, especially if your work is blue collar. You may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if your neck hurts or you are unable to work.
Social Security Disability Benefits
A herniated disc is one of the conditions that can be considered for disability. For those who have a severe condition, disability benefits are available to U.S. citizens.
They are unable to work or complete daily tasks such as dressing, washing, or getting around.
- b) Last at least 12 months, or you can expect to die.
These conditions make it possible to qualify for financial payments monthly. These terms will vary depending on the disorder you have.
You can find the requirements for each disorder in the Social Security “Blue Book” which you can consult at any time on the SSA’s site.
The Treatment for a Herniated Disc
There are many treatment options for herniated discs. These treatments should be sought before you have surgery to fix the herniated disc. Ice and heath therapy are the first treatment for a herniated disc. This will provide pain relief. A herniated disc can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) over-the-counter, such as ibuprofen. You can also take other medications to relieve the pain caused by a herniated disc, including narcotic pain medication, oral steroids, and epidural injections to reduce inflammation.
Physical therapy may be a good option if medicine fails to alleviate the pain from a herniated disc. Physical therapists can tailor exercises and stretches to relieve the pressure from the root of the herniated disc. You may consider surgery if medicine and physical therapy fail to alleviate the pain from a herniated disc. If you have a herniated disc, decompression surgery might be an option. You may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if you have exhausted all options but your herniated disc is still severe enough to prevent you from working.
Blue Book Listing for Herniated Discs
Herniated discs can be found under Section 1.04 of Blue Book: “Disorders of Spine”, also known as “herniated Nucleus pulposus”.
Nerve root compression (pressure on the nerves of your spine), spinal stenosis(a narrowing of your spine), and arachnoiditis (inflammation of the membrane around your spine) are all common signs of a herniated disc.
The Blue Book says that applicants with a herniated disc can be eligible if they have the following conditions:
- This causes the nerve root to be compromised (the first segment of a nerve that leaves the central nervous system).
- Causes widespread pain, spinal motion limitation, and motor loss through atrophy of unused muscles.
- Sensory or reflex loss can lead to and
- If involvement is in the lower back or legs, limit motion with a positive straight leg raising test (SLR)
It can be difficult to know if you are eligible if you only look at the list. It can be hard to understand, for example, the Social Security Administration’s definitions of “compromised nerve root” and “limited spine motion”.
If you have a restricted range of movement, weakness, decreased reflexes, or sensory response because of a bulging disc, documentation may be available to support your claim for disability. The Blue Book is a reference to medical terms such as “blue” so it is best to check with your doctor to determine if you are eligible. You can also get updated or new tests from your physician to help you compare your results with those above.
Rating for Herniated Disc Disability
You may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veterans Administration (VA), if you have a herniated disc. You may be eligible for compensation if you have a VA disability rating due to your herniated disc. Your SSDI claim will not be affected by your VA rating unless you are given a 100% P & T by the VA. This means you have been fully disabled due to your service-related herniated disc injury. You must meet the criteria for SSDI eligibility. If the herniated disc has severe symptoms, it will be eligible for SSDI. This listing states that you need medical evidence to be eligible for disability benefits. You can still be eligible for disability benefits even if your herniated disc does not meet the criteria. It is necessary to prove that these affect your ability to work and earn a living, and that you are unable to do routine tasks. To confirm the severity and extent of your condition, you will need to collect hard medical evidence and support documentation.