If you have been diagnosed with spinal fusion and are now finding it more difficult to undertake the duties you are expected to fulfill at work, you may be wondering if you are eligible for a disability benefits due to spinal fusion.
As long as you can prove that your spinal fusion will stop you working for at least 12 months then you may qualify for a disability benefit.
There are a number of factors which the Social Security Administration (SSA) takes into consideration when awarding disability benefits.
One of these factors is an assessment of the severity of your symptoms and another is whether you are able to take up any type of gainful employment. As each victim of spinal fusion may have different symptoms, the SSA doesn’t treat all the applicants the same. It makes a decision after considering each case on its own merits.
A third factor that the SSA uses is your work history when making a decision whether to award you a disability benefit. For example, if your usual employment is working on a construction site you have a higher chance of being awarded a disability benefit than if you had worked in a sedentary desk job.
The SSA's Blue Book
The SSA has created its own medical guide to medical conditions referred to as the Blue Book. It uses this book to assess disability benefit claimants’ diagnoses. If spinal fusion is listed in the Blue Book this makes your claim much easier to evaluate.
However, no final decision is made until you have provided evidence including your doctor’s medical report that proves you are too disabled to work with spinal fusion. Because spinal fusion doesn’t have its own individual listing in the Blue Book you might meet several other listings which cover your symptoms for spinal fusion.
Your doctor’s account of your disability will help to support your claim. This should indicate if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- leg pain caused by nerve root compression;
- loss of feeling or reflexes caused by nerve root compression;
- difficulties with mobility due to numbness, pain or weakness;
- the need for additional support to help with movement such as cane, walker or wheelchair.
You should also provide x-rays, MRIs or CT scans relevant to your spinal fusion condition.
Your Claim By Condition
Here is some more information on how disabling some common conditions are:
- blood clot,
- brain tumor,
- breast cancer,
- cancer,
- cirrhosis of the liver,
- colon cancer,
- Crohn's disease,
- degenerative disc disease,
- heart transplant,
- herniated disc,
- kidney dialysis,
- kidney disease,
- liver disease,
- liver transplant,
- lower extremity amputation,
- lumbar spinal stenosis
- lung cancer,
- osteoarthritis,
- osteoporosis,
- pancreatic cancer,
- paralysis,
- paraplegia,
- prostate cancer,
- quadriplegia,
- rheumatoid arthritis,
- stroke,
- testicular cancer,
- upper extremity amputation.
Before you file your disability benefits application for spinal fusion you should consult a social security disability attorney or advocate who may help evaluate your claim based on the medical evidence you provide and your work history.
Additional Resources
- Permanent Restrictions After A Spinal Fusion
- Tips on Qualifying For Disability Benefits With a Spinal Condition
- Denied Disability with Spinal Fusion
- Herniated Disc Disability
- Using an RFC When Applying For Disability Benefits From Spinal Fusion
- Social Security Disability for Scoliosis
- Spinal Stenosis Disability
