Can You Receive Social Security Disability Benefits For Sciatica?

If you suffer from sciatica, it can become completely disabling, impacting your ability to work. If you find you aren’t able to perform the tasks required for your job, missed work can have a major impact on your ability to cover living expenses. If this is the case, you should consider applying for social security disability benefits (SSDI). People with sciatica who can prove they suffer from debilitating pain that makes full-time work impossible can often qualify for social security disability benefits. Here we look at sciatica disability claims and how you can receive benefits if you are unable to work.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain following the sciatic nerve that stretches from your lower back through your hips, buttocks, and down your legs. Symptoms are usually the result of either a herniated disc, stenosis or bone spur that compresses the sciatic nerve affecting the nerve roots. This compression causes the following symptoms in the lower back and leg:

• Inflammation
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Pain

In typical cases, sciatica causes symptoms on one side, but it can affect both. Because there are many treatments for sciatica, such as physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications, it can be challenging to meet the eligibility requirements to receive SSDI.

Can You Get Disability For Sciatica?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a “blue book” to determine which medical conditions qualify for SSDI. Because sciatica is not a disease, your medical records must prove you have a musculoskeletal disorder listed in the blue book, such as:

• Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Piriformis syndrome

Your symptoms can also be equal to listings for musculoskeletal disorders to qualify. Decisions are based not just on whether you can perform your current job but also on whether you can perform other types of work. This becomes quite complicated as the SSA uses a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment to determine your level of ability.

What is an RFC for Sciatica Eligibility?

The SSA considers whether you can work with pain related to the sciatic nerve and how many hours a day your pain impacts your ability to perform basic tasks. An RFC assesses your ability to work. The two main rating areas related to sciatica claims would focus on:

1. Exertional Level: This determines how you can perform in a sedentary, medium, and heavy work environment. The assessment determines how your sciatica impacts your ability to perform physical work.
2. Non-Exertional Limitations: This assessment determines if your limitations interfere with tasks required to perform your job or other jobs.

If your sciatica has resulted in emotional illness, the RFC also assesses how your mental capacity impacts your ability to work.

Level of Pain and Doctor Restrictions

If your level of physical activity has formally been restricted by a doctor, your medical history is also considered when determining if you qualify for SSDI. This can include becoming completely sedentary or limitations that permit walking or standing for just a few hours a day. The most crucial factor is how your level of pain impacts your ability to work.

The only way to prove this is to provide medical records that create a history of disabling pain that is not responsive to recommended treatments. Your medical history must establish you cannot work by clearly showing a specific medical condition causing your sciatica. Medical records should include the following:

• Results of physical examinations, especially those related to muscle strength and reflexes
• Medications prescribed to manage pain or treatments such as steroid injections, physical therapy, etc.
• Surgical records
• Spinal X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and/or EMGs showing the source of your sciatica
• Complications of other conditions, or sciatica that limit your abilities

These medical records help increase your chances to qualify for social security disability benefits.

What Other Factors Entitle Me to Sciatica Benefits?

All limitations related to your sciatica are considered when you apply for SSDI. The SSA, therefore, also considers other factors, including your age, education, and skills. Those under 50 are viewed as more “trainable” to take on new positions compared to those who are over 55. You also must show enough work credits to receive SSDI. This is determined by your age, but in most cases, you need 40 credits with 20 earned in the last ten years. Although it sounds like younger workers face a bigger challenge, you can still qualify with fewer credits if your condition shows you are unable to work.

What is the ADL Questionnaire for Sciatica Benefits?

The SSA also uses an activities of daily living (ADL) questionnaire to understand how your sciatic impacts your ability to perform daily tasks. This can prove to be one of the most difficult questionnaires to complete. It is hard to fathom how to answer these questions correctly. Providing honest, concise, detailed answers with specific accounts explaining the challenges you face is always the best approach.

What If My Sciatica Disability Claim is Denied?

Regardless of your medical condition, two-thirds of initial SSDI applications are denied. With sciatica, the criteria can be even more challenging. The good news is that denial does not mean the decision is final. You have the right to appeal your decision. If you submitted your application without assistance, it is much more likely records are missed, or errors are made. A disability advocate can help arrange a hearing in front of an administrative law judge and increase the odds of winning your case. Their job is to put together a compelling case that includes expert testimonials and additional records that show your sciatica is clearly making it impossible for you to work, such as:

• Failed medications and treatments you have tried
• Underlying conditions contributing to debilitating pain
• Updated contact information for all relevant witnesses and medical experts involved in your treatment
• Dates and supporting medical records of tests, treatments, medical appointments, etc.

Detailed information can help in winning your case, so you receive the maximum benefits you deserve.

If your sciatica is making it impossible to work, or your benefits have been denied, the experts at Princeton Disability can help with the SSDI application process. We will establish credibility for your case by providing all relevant information.

Click here to get a free consultation.