Got a Bad Back? Social Security Act Disorders of the Spine

I have mentioned the "listings" several times in my past blog entries as they relate to Social Security disability. If you recall, when evaluating disability applications, the Social Security Administration employs a five-step sequential process to determine if an individual meets several required benchmarks to be awarded benefits.

Social Security Act "Listings"

The first two, whether an individual is working and has he or she been diagnosed with a severe impairment, are usually easily enough determined. The third step is where the process gets tricky: Does an individual have a severe impairment that meets or equals a "listing?"

1.04 Disorders of the Spine

I thought I would focus on one particular listing today, 1.04 Disorders of the spine, as the majority of our clients seem to have bad backs. There are a variety of specific diagnoses that can be identified as the source of back pain, bulging discs, pinched nerves, etc., for example.

For what it's worth, the most common back ailment seems to be Degenerative Disc Disease, which is just that, the progressive degeneration of discs over time. It is not really a disease, however, but simply a physical condition that just about everyone develops as we age.

Here is the 1.04 Disorders of the spine listing in full:

1.04 Disorders of the spine (e.g., herniated nucleus pulposus, spinal arachnoiditis, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, facet arthritis, vertebral fracture), resulting in compromise of a nerve root (including the cauda equina) or the spinal cord. With:
A. Evidence of nerve root compression characterized by neuro-anatomic distribution of pain, limitation of motion of the spine, motor loss (atrophy with associated muscle weakness or muscle weakness) accompanied by sensory or reflex loss and, if there is involvement of the lower back, positive straight-leg raising test (sitting and supine);

OR

B. Spinal arachnoiditis, confirmed by an operative note or pathology report of tissue biopsy, or by appropriate medically acceptable imaging, manifested by severe burning or painful dysesthesia, resulting in the need for changes in position or posture more than once every 2 hours;

or

C. Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in pseudoclaudication, established by findings on appropriate medically acceptable imaging, manifested by chronic nonradicular pain and weakness, and resulting in inability to ambulate effectively, as defined in 1.00B2b.

While many of our clients have been diagnosed with one or more of these back problems, keep in mind that it is the severity of the condition that counts. Just having a diagnosis is not enough, we must show that its associated symptoms meet or are functionally equal to the above elements.

Quite often, our client's doctor -- even if he or she is a specialist -- does not produce notes that contains all these items that the SSA requires. Accordingly, we often ask that the claimant's primary treating physician write a "letter of support" that tracks the appropriate language in the listing to fill in the gaps. Even with this in hand, we will often still have to attend a hearing which, in and of itself, can be an excruciating experience.

If you or your child have been denied SSA disability benefits or suffer from a severe impairment that is expected to last more than twelve months and that prevents you from doing any of your past or other work or is causing developmental delay in your child, please contact our office nearest to you to set up a free consultation appointment to discuss your situation.

Share This Page

Bond & Botes Law Offices

At Bond & Botes, we now offer full service bankruptcy consultation and filing over the phone or by video from the comfort and safety of your home or office. Please call 1-877-581-3396 or click here to setup your free phone or video consultation.

The lawyers at the Bond & Botes affiliated offices serve clients at offices in Anniston, Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery, Opelika, Decatur, Huntsville, Florence, Haleyville and Gadsden, Alabama; Vicksburg, Hattiesburg and Jackson, Mississippi. Read our disclaimer here. You can view our Privacy Policy here.

Alabama Offices

Birmingham

2107 5th Avenue North
Age-Herald Building
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Phone: (205) 802-2200


Shelby County Location
15 Southlake Lane, Ste 140
Birmingham, AL 35244
Phone: (205) 802-2200


Florence Location
121 S. Court Street
Florence, AL 35630
Phone: (256) 760-1010


Huntsville Location
225 Pratt Avenue NE
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: (256) 539-9899


Montgomery Location
311 Catoma Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 264-3363


Decatur Location
605 Bank Street NE
Decatur, AL 35601
Phone: (256) 355-2447


Haleyville Location
914 19th St.
Haleyville, AL 35565
Phone: (256) 760-1010


Gadsden Location
430-B Chestnut Street
Gadsden, AL 35901
Phone: (256) 485-0195


Opelika Location
216 South 8th Street
Opelika 36801
Phone: (334) 264-3363


Anniston Location
1302 Noble St #2C
Anniston, AL 36201
Phone: (256) 485-0195


Cullman Location
200 Second Avenue SW
Cullman, AL 35055
Phone: (256) 739-9866


Mississippi Offices

Jackson Location
120 Southpointe Dr., A
Byram, MS 39272
Phone: (601) 353-5000


Hattiesburg Location
607 Corinne St, Ste B8
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Phone: (601) 353-5000


Vicksburg Location
1212 Farmer Street
Vicksburg, MS 39180
Phone: (601) 353-5000

© 2024 by Bond & Botes Law Offices. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Privacy Policy