Social Security Disability for Bone Spurs: The 2023 Always Up-To-Date Guide

Bone spurs or “osteophytes” are bony growths caused by stress, rubbing, or pressure on a bone. Although it’s possible to live with bone spurs without experiencing symptoms, if the bony growth interferes with other bones, ligaments, tendons, or nerves, they can not only become quite painful but also limit function and range of motion. There can also be serious complications if a bone spur breaks away from the bone, as it interferes with major joint function and can cause joints to lock.

If your bone spurs limit your ability to work, you might be surprised to learn you could be eligible to receive disability benefits. When you suffer from any medical or mental condition that keeps you from working, you have a right to apply for social security benefits. Our 2023, always up-to-date guide explains everything you need to know about social security disability for bone spurs to encourage you to seek the compensation you deserve.

Are Bone Spurs a Disability?

Not all bone spurs are a disability in the eyes of the Social Security Administration (SSA). To qualify for social security disability benefits, you have to prove you are unable to work due to your symptoms. The SSA uses a “blue book” of medical condition listings they consider disabilities. Although bone spurs are not on the SSA’s list, if you can prove your condition meets or is equal to the requirements of other listings, your bone spurs can qualify for benefits. The most common listings associated with bone spurs include:

• Section 1.02- Dysfunction of a joint
• Section 1.04- Disorders of the spine
• Section 14.09- Inflammatory arthritis

Can you get disability for bone spurs?

Yes. However, to qualify for disability benefits, you require extensive medical evidence proving your symptoms are equal to the criteria for one of the above listings.

Disabling Symptoms of Bone Spurs

Some of the most common disabling symptoms of bone spurs are related to the following affected joints:

• Fingers: When located in the fingers, bone spurs are often visible, causing painful bumps that limit movement.
• Hip. Hip bone spurs cause pain when walking, which can radiate all the way to your knees.
• Knees: Knee tendons are often affected by bone spurs, preventing your knee from bending and extending properly or causing chronic joint pain.
• Shoulder: A bone spur located in the shoulder can rub against your rotator cuff, making it difficult to control shoulder movement and limiting the range of motion in your arm.
• Spine: The spine can be hindered by bone spurs such as pinching nerves, narrowing the canal or spinal cord, or interfering with proper arm and leg function.

Can You Receive SSI for Bone Spurs?

Yes, as long as you meet the following Supplemental Security Income (SSI) criteria, you could be eligible to receive SSI for bone spurs:

• You are 65 or older
• Your bone spurs impact your ability to work and are expected to last at least one year
• Your income (based on 2023 income requirements), including any social security benefits you receive, pensions, supplements for shelter and food, part-time work, etc. does not exceed $914 for an eligible individual, $1,371 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $458 for an essential person
• Your assets, including bank accounts, stocks, and bonds, are not valued above $2,000 for one person or $3,000 for a couple, not including your home or car
• You have applied for other available Social Security benefits to determine if you are eligible to receive further funding

Keep in mind the Federal government updates the income maximums annually.

Can You Receive SSDI for Bone Spurs?

Yes, as long as you meet the non-medical criteria for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it is possible to receive benefits for bone spurs with symptoms that meet or equal a disability listing. However, even if you don’t meet this criterion, the SSA uses a sequential evaluation process looking not only at the blue book but also at how the severity of your symptoms impacts your ability to work. You must complete a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment to determine if you can perform common work activities such as:

• Standing or walking
• Moving to lift items, reach, squat, or crouch
• Ability to grasp objects
• Sedentary work using your arms, fingers, and wrists to type, use a mouse or reach out to do something like filing or perform tasks on a production line

The SSA combines your RFC with your medical information to make a final decision on whether you meet their criteria to be deemed disabled. If not, the final step is to see if you are able to perform any other kind of work based on your work history and ability to learn new skills. If the final decision determines you really are unable to perform work, you are considered disabled, and your application is approved.

Medical Evidence Required to Prove Your Bone Spurs

Your medical evidence must meet the same criteria as a blue book listing to qualify for social security disability benefits such as:

• Joint Dysfunction: Medical imaging confirming visible destruction by a joint bone spur is causing instability, chronic pain and stiffness, and interference with your ability to walk properly or use your arms.
• Spine Disorders: Medical evidence must prove spinal bone spurs have affected your spinal cord or nerves with either a nerve root compression impacting other areas of your body, or a narrowing of the spinal canal impacting your ability to walk properly or causing pain and weakness.
• Inflammatory arthritis: Medical evidence your arthritis caused the bone spurs in your weight-bearing joints, impacting your ability to walk, or in your upper extremities, impacting the use of your arms and hands.

Records of all related physical examinations, imaging, medications, treatments, etc., must be provided to prove your bone spurs are disabling. A disability advocate can walk you through the process to ensure you have the medical evidence required to support your case.

Should I Seek Professional Assistance?

Statistics show only 34 percent of applications submitted without the assistance of a disability advocate are approved for disability benefits. As a result, it is advisable you work with the professional assistance of a disability advocate to increase your chances of approval. Princeton Disability Advocates help you file your claim correctly right from the start, reducing the risk of delays or denials and ensuring you receive the maximum benefits payout.

If you are looking for a disability advocate who fights for your rights, reach out to our team today.