What Is A Spinal Cord Stimulator
A spinal cord stimulator is a medical device that doctors can implant into your body, helping reduce your chronic pain. They treat severe, chronic back pain that runs into your arm or leg. While many medical conditions can cause back pain and sciatica, spinal cord stimulators are often associated with the following conditions:
- Degenerative disc disease: arthritis, narrowing in your spine , and other degenerative changes can cause pain that runs into your legs or arms
- Arachnoiditis: a condition that causes swelling and scarring in your spinal nerves protective lining
- Failed back surgery syndrome: when you continue to experience severe arm or leg pain, even though your surgery was technically successful
- Complex regional pain syndrome: an often-misunderstood condition where you experience excess and prolonged pain and inflammation after an injury
- Spinal cord injuries: studies suggest that electrical stimulation can help people with spinal cord injuries regain some motion and other functions like bladder and bowel control
Your Lumbar Stenosis Disability Case
If you are disabled because of Lumbar Stenosis that is so severe it prevents you from working, you may well be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. Working closely with medical professionals and a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or advocate to collect and present the appropriate documentation to support your disability claim in front of the Disability Determination Services can help to ensure that your Lumbar Stenosis disability case will have the highest possible chance of success.
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Medical Evidence Required For Arachnoiditis Disability
The SSA will request your medical records from your treating doctor. The SSA wants to see the objective evidence that you have arachnoiditis, rather than just a diagnosis by a doctor based on your pain symptoms and medical history. The SSA will want to see one of the three following objective forms of evidence to confirm the doctor’s diagnosis:
- an operative note
- a pathology report of a biopsy, or
- an imaging test .
The documentation should show the thickening and swelling of nerve roots, and if adhesive arachnoiditis has occurred, the clumping together of nerve roots.
Your records should also include a detailed physical exam, including tests of your sensation, reflexes, and range of motion, as well as your ability to walk, bend, squat and rise. Your records should include the various treatments you have tried, such as pain medication, physical therapy, or nerve or spinal cord stimulation, and the side effects of the pain medication. You should ask your doctor to record how your pain, medication side effects, and other symptoms limit your ability to work, and what functional restrictions the doctor has placed on you .
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Do I Qualify For Long
Theres no simple answer to this question. To understand your eligibility for disability insurance benefits, youll need to assess your policys terms and conditions and the severity of your symptoms.
First, youll need to understand how your disability insurance policy defines disability. Look for one of the following definitions in your Summary Plan Description or Plan Document:
- Own occupation: to be eligible for benefits, you must be unable to perform your actual job duties
- Any occupation: you must show that you cannot perform any work
Because spinal cord stimulators results vary dramatically, you and your doctor will need to carefully assess your symptoms and abilities. Suppose you experience a dramatic reduction in your symptoms with a spinal cord and have an any occupation plan. In that case, you might have difficulty proving that youre incapable of doing low-impact work.
Similarly, even under an own occupation plan, your claim may become complicated if your spinal cord stimulator is effective and your job is not physically intensive. For example, suppose you are an attorney with a chronic low back condition. You can sit and stand as needed during a typical day, and you only need to lift or carry an occasional file. If your spinal cord stimulator reduces your back pain by 70% and your doctors think you can lift 10 pounds on occasion, the insurance company will likely deny your claim or terminate your benefits.
References
Spinal Conditions Added To Social Security Listings
Medical equivalence and the effects of treatment and obesity may also result in Social Security disability.
Two added spinal disorders were among the changes to the Social Security musculoskeletal disability Listings which became effective February 2002. Arachnoiditis and pseudoclaudication, as defined and discussed in the Listings at 20 Code of Federal Regulations , Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, 1.00 and 1.04, are now considered disabling for Social Security disability benefits purposes.
The Listings describe all medical conditions considered disabling as a matter of law. An individual who presents medical evidence that he or she suffers with a disorder which meets or medically equals the conditions described in the Listings is considered legally disabled and qualified to receive Social Security disability benefits.
Spinal arachnoiditis is characterized by adhesive thickening of the arachnoid membrane which may cause intermittent ill-defined burning pain and sensory dysesthesia. It also may cause neurogenic bladder or bowel incontinence when the cauda equina is involved.
While the cause is not always clear, there may be evidence of spinal stenosis or a history of spinal trauma or meningitis. Diagnosis must be confirmed by description at time of surgery, microscopic examination of biopsied tissue or findings on medically acceptable imaging.
The best test is to observe whether the patient adopts a flexed position after standing or walking for a few minutes.
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How Can You Get Disability For Spinal Stenosis
You can get disability for spinal stenosis automatically if you meet the requirements for the listing. These requirements are:
If you can prove these things, then you may be awarded disability benefits automatically. That could significantly reduce the time it takes you to start getting benefits.
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Starting A Disability Claim For Back Pain
Call the SSA at 800-772-1213 to set up an appointment to fill out an application for disability If you don’t know whether you are eligible for Social Security disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income , you can apply for both. When you fill out your application, include both how your back pain affects your life outside of work and how it impairs your ability to work. If you have both severe back problems and a mental impairment, such as depression , be sure to include symptoms and documentation of the mental impairment as well.
| Take our disability quiz to help you determine whether you qualify for benefits. |
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If You Are Able To Walk Without Assistance You Will Not Qualify For Ssdi Automatically
Instead, Social Security will conduct a Residual Functioning Capacity assessment to evaluate how spinal stenosis affects your capacity to perform your job and daily activities. Social Security will review your imaging tests and doctors records, particularly their notes on your functional limitations, to decide if your spinal stenosis prevents you from working. Social Security will also consider your age, level of education, and work skills. If you are older than 55 with few transferable work skills and less education, your chances for being approved are greater. If you are suffering from cervical spinal stenosis, Social Security will evaluate your impairment in the same way.
Increase Credibility On Your Cpp Disability Chronic Back Pain Application
While the best way to ensure your applications approval is through extensive evidence about your condition and employment details, you and your claim must also seem credible when presenting this evidence. Credibility will give your application an additional boost.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS: The more credible you are, the more likely youll be approved, even if your evidence is as substantial.
To help make your claim more credible, we have made a list of credibility boosters:
- Not providing information on time
- Inconsistent medical records and statements
- Criticizing others in your claim
- Arguing with doctors over your diagnosis
- Filing biased, negative, or unprofessional complaints
- Being aggressive, sarcastic or confrontational
- Attempting to appear like an expert
- Excuses or problem blaming
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Does Back Pain Qualify You For Disability Pay
Yes. Back injuries and degenerative conditions are some of the most common disabling conditions.
Back pain is typically the result of car accidents or other traumatic injuries, but it can also be caused by wear and tear over time.
While it is very common for older people to develop back pain, individuals engaged in strenuous work tend to develop these issues at an earlier age.
Serious back pain can make everyday activities a chore. And worse, it can make full-time work impossible.
Not Enough Info On Medical Conditions And Employability
To be approved for CPP Disability, you must prove to Service Canada that you cannot work due to your condition. To prove this, you must provide extensive medical evidence highlighting your conditions severity and prolonged nature and how it prevents you from retaining employment. Without substantial evidence proving this, your application will most likely be denied.
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Talk To A Disability Lawyer
Need a lawyer? Start here.
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You Could Be Entitled To $3148 Per Month Get A Free Disability Evaluation
If you have a spinal condition that keeps you from working, you should start the application for disability benefits from the SSA. When you apply for disability benefits, documentation is essential to your claims success. Most claims are denied on the initial review, and if that happens, you can file a request for reconsideration.
When your claim is denied, they will tell you why your claim wasnt approved and based on that, you will be able to determine what you need to help show them that you are disabled. You should gather that additional information and send it to them after you file your appeal.
Your claim will not be approved without the needed information. You will also need to file your appeal before time runs out. If you miss the deadline, you will have to reapply for disability benefits and start the process all over.
When you have a disability lawyer, your attorney will be sure that everything is filed by the deadline and that all the needed documentation is provided to the SSA for review. You can retain a disability attorney at anytime during the claims process. Complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page to get connected with a disability lawyer that takes cases in your area today!
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Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms And Treatments
Eventually, the wear and tear may involve bulging, herniated, desiccated , or thinned/compressed discs. It may reach a point that causes you pain, stiffness, weakness, inflexibility or limited movement in your spine. Affected discs can also cause the spinal column to move out of alignment , or may cause the spinal canal or nerve root canals to narrow , leaving less space for the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. If the spinal cord or nerve roots are compressed by an affected disc, bone spur, or calcification, a variety of symptoms may follow.
Depending on the location of DDD in your back, other parts of your body can also experience pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, or difficulty with movement or control. Shooting pain may travel through your arms or legs, depending on the part of the spine affected, and many people experience muscle spasms in their back. Bowel or bladder control issues can happen in degenerative disc disease cases involving nerve or spinal cord compression.
Your Spine Disorder Disability Claim
Spinal conditions are some of the most painful and disabling medical disorders. Whether your spinal condition was caused by a traumatic injury or a degenerative disorder you may qualify for SSDI or SSI assistance. When you are diagnosed with a disabling spinal condition, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. While you should be focused on doing everything you can to feel better, the unfortunate fact is that you will probably have to deal with the reality of paying bills and caring for loved ones.
Luckily, Social Security Disability attorneys and advocates are available to help you through every step of the approval process. Qualified legal assistance can help you with everything from preparing your initial Social Security Disability application to assisting with the reconsideration and appeals processes.
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Surgery For Spinal Arthritis
Surgery may be recommended for spinal arthritis if other treatments donât sufficiently relieve pain. The goals of the surgery may include:
-
Stabilizing the spine by fusing several segments together in a procedure called spinal fusion
These surgeries can be performed as open procedures or with a minimally invasive approach. There are pros and cons to each method. The surgeon will review and discuss the options before the operation.
The List Of Covered Illnesses And Injuries Comes Down To The Type Of Policy You Have
Disability insurance is designed to protect your paycheck if you cant work due to an illness or injury but it isnt a catch-all policy. Your insurer will only pay benefits if your condition is specified in your policy, and the list of conditions differs between short-term, long-term and Social Security disability.
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What If I Am Denied For Cpp Disability For Chronic Back Pain
It is important to note that around 60% of all new CPP Disability applications get denied and that there are limited opportunities to appeal Service Canadas decision therefore it is imperative that you approach the appeal process carefully.
In this section, we will briefly cover the denial and appeal process but if you were denied, we encourage you to check out our CPP Disability Denial and Appeal Overview article covering each step of the appeal process.
The CPP Disability appeal process has three steps, those being:
Dont Back Down: Chronic Back Pain And Qualifying For Ssdi/ssi Benefits
Throughout the course of our lives, almost all of us will experience back pain at one point or another. In fact, an estimated 80% of the population suffers through back pain at some point. Most will recover over time or with physical therapy. But for some, back pain becomes a chronic condition that severely limits their ability to work.
Throughout the course of our lives, almost all of us will experience back pain at one point or another. In fact, an estimated 80% of the population suffers through back pain at some point. Most will recover over time or with physical therapy. But for some, back pain becomes a chronic condition that severely limits their ability to work.
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Talk To A Social Security Attorney Today
If your lumbar stenosis is impacting your ability to work, you should consult with a Social Security attorney. Your attorney will be able make sure all your supporting evidence gets to Disability Determination Services and help you build a strong case.
Your odds of being approved for benefits improve greatly when you are represented by an attorney. Having an attorney will make this process easier for you, and it will give you a better chance of winning your case.
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Are Disc Herniations Considered A Disability
A herniated or slipped disc is considered a disabling condition by the SSA and may qualify you for either SSD or Supplemental Security Income benefits dependent on the condition and your age. The SSA will evaluate a herniated disc based on an examination of the spine and will usually include a test of the following:
- Deep tendon reflexes
- Determination of nerve root damage
- How much pain the herniated disc is causing and where the pain is felt
- Incidence of muscle spasms
- Signs of tension
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Va Disability Rating For Neck Arthritis
Veterans are exposed to numerous events which can cause lasting neck injuries. Many natural conditions are also accelerated by time spent in the service. For example, as a veteran begins to develop arthritis in the neck, old neck injuries from the military can start to cause more pain. Bone spurs or osteophytes can grow on bones and cause joints to enlarge. The older the veteran gets, the more of these they will have. These cervical bone spurs can cause neck pain and weakness in the shoulders and arms.
Neck arthritis can also spread to affect other parts of the body. Although its not always fast, sometimes it can spread within just a few months. Veterans who start the application process right away are more likely to get a VA disability rating for their neck pain.