Scoliosis is considered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a disorder of the spine. There are several ways that you can justify receiving disability benefits based on this medical condition. For instance, it may be possible to obtain benefits by proving that your condition has resulted in nerve root damage or by showing that it has caused a heart or mental disorder.
How does this condition limit your ability to function?
It’s important to understand that having scoliosis on its own isn’t enough to approve a request for benefits. Instead, you must show how the condition has impacted your ability to earn a gainful income. This can be done by providing an examiner with recent medical information such as the results of a blood test or an MRI. You may also want to submit a statement from your doctor explaining how your condition impacts your quality of life. An examiner may also be interested in reviewing reports from a physical therapist.
Why an examiner needs to know about your employment history
An examiner will review your work history to determine if there are any jobs that you are still capable of performing despite your disability. To qualify for benefits, you must show that your disability prevents you from obtaining a new job or from going back to any job that you had in the past 15 years.
If you’re seeking Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, it may be in your best interest to do so with the help of an attorney. This person may help you obtain and organize medical records that may be used when evaluating your initial application. An attorney may also submit appeal paperwork or assist you in getting ready for the hearing stage if your initial application and first appeal are denied.
